Peter Wentz Farmstead on Saturday - Meet Belsnickel

 

Come to The Peter Wentz Farmstead tomorrow and meet Belsnickel

The Belsnickel — which roughly translates as "Nicholas in furs" — came to Pennsylvania with settlers from western Germany in the 17th and 18th centuries. Instead of Santa, the Christ child (Kristkindel) visited children with gifts.

The Belsnickel, though, was Santa gone rogue. Here's an explanation of the difference from an 1890s guide for Pennsylvania Germans learning English (hence the short, simple sentences):

In the evening the Kristkindel goes around to the houses and distributes Christmas presents. The children await him. Sometimes Belsnickel comes and frightens them. He throws chestnuts around, and when the children run to pick them up, he hits them with a whip.

In practice the Belsnickel may not have been quite so nasty: a cousin or uncle likely dressed the part, rapping on children's windows, asking them if they'd been good, tossing candy on the floor and switching them lightly just as a reminder.

http://www.davidwalbert.com/2011/12/15/enter-the-belsnickel/

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