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In I do have a green pickle Christmas ornament...I knew parts of the story...I was researching it and found this article on line...I thought it is interesting and I wanted to share it with you...make sure you get a green pickle :)
In the Rhine Provinces of Germany, Saint Nicholas was accompanied by Peltz Nickel, a boy with a blackened face, a beard, and rattling chains, who walked on all fours to represent the donkey the Christ child rode. The Christkind (Christ child) was represented by a little girl dressed in white. Peltz Nickel went from house to house with the Christkind to give each mother a beating rod with which to discipline her children during the coming year. From the diminutive, Christkindel, eventually came Kris Kringle – so cultures evolve. I found this explanation online...this is how I remember the Belsnickel (Knecht Ruprecht)...he was a mean looking guy!!!
I remember, I was 6 years old and I was petrified of him, especially as he came to my house...I will NEVER forget this incident! My Parents booked St. Nikolaus and his Knecht Ruprecht...they come on the 6th of December of each year...I remember as they came to my house I was hiding behind a small sofa and hoped he would not call my name LOL BUT he did...so I was standing in front of St. Nikolaus and Knecht Ruprecht (German for Belsnickel) and he told me all the good and bad things I did over the year...OMG I was so scared...I almost cried and I was so relieved as they left...I told my Parents I would be good ALWAYS he he
It is so amazing how each country celebrates Christmas differently...as an example, in Germany we put our boots out on the 6th of December and St. Nikolaus will put nuts, candies and oranges in the boots...in the evening of December 24 the Christkind is coming...I attached some pics I found online...it is of the Nuernberger Christkindle Market...very famous! I had been to this place many times...it is about 1 hour away from my hometown.
On the 2nd picture you can see the *Christkind* she brings the kids the gifts...awww I want to be a kid again...oh and in Germany we are celebrating Christmas for 3 days and most people put their Christmas tree up 1 or 2 days before or on Christmas eve...
Hopefully you liked my little story :)
Smiles Ivonne
