why is santa claus called kris kringle?
A Christmas gift-bringer in Germany. The name “Kris Kringle” is a mispronounciation of the German name; the actual German figure is called “Christkind”, “Christkindchen” or “Christkindl” and is derived from the earlier Christkindl, which was introduced by Martin Luther. All of the German names mean “Christ child” and originally refer to the new-born Jesus. The figure is distinct in origin and tradition from Santa Claus and Father Christmas. The Christkind (“Christ Child”) is the traditional Christmas giftbringer in Southern Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Südtirol and Liechtenstein. Since the 1990s, the Christkind is facing increasing competition in Germany from the Weihnachtsmann in the American version of Santa Claus. The Christkind is a sprite-like child, usually depicted with blond hair and angelic wings. Martin Luther intended it to be a reference to the incarnation of Jesus as an infant. The form “Kris Kringle” is only used in the US. In Germany, it is completely unknown. Sources:
The Truth About Santa Claus Well, this is the truth about Santa Claus. Ask anyone, especially postman Special Delivery Kluger. You see, one day a tiny baby was left on the door step of Burgermeister Meisterburger. Well, Burgermeister Meisterburger didn’t like babies at all. In fact, The Burgermeister ordered his guards to take the baby away. The guard was pulling the baby through the forest on a sled when the rope broke sending the sled zooming out of control down the mountainside. Straight into the home of the Kringle family. Well, the Kringle family, who once had been the first toy makers to the King, took the baby in as one of their own. They called him Kris Kringle because the meaning of KRISTKINDL is Christ Child. That, after all, is what Christmas is all about. So, you see my friends, that is how Kris Kringle got into the toy business in the first place. Now, Burgermeister Meisterburger was a very grouchy man. The day that he tripped on a toy and hurt his leg he outlawed toys in
