Belsnickel! Naughty or Nice?

English Day - 21 April 2022

Who doesn't know Santa Claus? The old man with the long white beard carried a red sack full of presents for the good children and gave coals to the naughty children. Or even Krampus, a terrifying demonic figure who terrifies misbehaving children. But have you heard of Belsnickel?

 

Originating in the Palatinate region of Europe, it is believed to be based on a companion or servant of none other than Saint Nicholas himself. He often wears animal fur, dirty and worn clothes, and sometimes deer antlers on his head, hence the word "bels" for fur in German and "nickel" from St. Nicholas.

 

Unlike Santa Claus, Belsnickel travels alone and arrives home a week or two before Christmas, but they also share some similarities in visiting children and whether they deserve the treatment or punishment they deserve. law or not. He has a switch for the naughty kids and lots of cakes, candies and nuts for the good kids.

 

As soon as he arrived, the children were asked to answer his questions or sing him a song. In return, he throws cakes, candies, and nuts on the ground. If children dive greedily for the treats or can`t recount their good behavior throughout the year, the Belsnickel will threaten to swat their hands or back with his switch.

 

The well-mannered boys and girls get rewarded with the treats.  The Belsnickel`s visit serves to remind children that they still have time to stay out of mischief before Christmas Day and to think twice before misbehaving.

 

When people from the Palatinate region immigrated to Pennsylvania, they brought their German traditions with them. Belsnickel was known in Pennsylvania in the early 1800s. Amongst the Pennsylvania Germans,

 

Belsnickel is the character who visits homes prior to Christmas to check up on the behavior of the children. The traditional Belsnickel showed up at houses 1–2 weeks before Christmas and often created fright because he always knew exactly which of the children misbehaved. He would rap on the door or window with his stick and often the children would have to answer a question for him or sing some type of song.

 

In exchange, he would toss candies onto the floor. If the children jumped too quick for the treats, they may end up getting struck by Belsnickel's switch.

An 1853 article in a British journal describes a Pennsylvanian custom concerning "Pelsnichol, or Nicholas with the fur, alluding to the cloak skin he was supposed to wear. Some made Pelsnichol."

 

identical to Krishkinkle, but more generally the idea that they are two characters, one avenging the good, the other punishing the evil." According to this article, Pelsnichol merely leaves a birch rod in the stockings of naughty children.

 

Written by Selena XI SOS 2

Source: https://osisbid10.blogspot.com/2022/02/belsnickel-naughty-or-nice.html

Tags:
Berita BPK PENABUR Jakarta - 09 March 2024
Ibadah Siswa: Bersukacita, Bersabar, dan Bertekun
Berita BPK PENABUR Jakarta - 03 March 2024
Ibadah Kompleks: Berjalan Bersama Tuhan
Ibadah Kompleks: Berjalan Bersama Tuhan
Berita BPK PENABUR Jakarta - 30 March 2024
Kebersamaan Guru dan Karyawan SMAK 5 di Gadog, Bo...
Kebersamaan Guru dan Karyawan SMAK 5 di Gadog, Bo...
Berita BPK PENABUR Jakarta - 29 March 2024
Seminar dan Tes Kesehatan Bersama Dokter Rita Ram...
Seminar dan Tes Kesehatan Bersama Dokter Rita Ram...
Berita BPK PENABUR Jakarta - 27 March 2024
Kelompok Tumbuh Bersama (KTB): Menjadi Sahabat Se...
Kelompok Tumbuh Bersama (KTB): Menjadi Sahabat Se...
Berita BPK PENABUR Jakarta - 28 September 2021
Kebaktian Siswa: Mahadaya Kasih
Berita BPK PENABUR Jakarta - 09 September 2021
Ekstrakurikuler Make Up: Basic Complexion
Ekstrakurikuler Make Up: Basic Complexion
Berita BPK PENABUR Jakarta - 06 September 2021
Ekstrakurikuler Pramuka: Collaborative Learning B...
Ekstrakurikuler Pramuka: Collaborative Learning B...
Berita BPK PENABUR Jakarta - 01 September 2021
Live Ekstrakurikuler Public Speaking: Building Sk...
Live Ekstrakurikuler Public Speaking: Building Sk...
Berita BPK PENABUR Jakarta - 13 September 2021
Upacara Pelantikan Pengurus MPK Periode 2021-2022
Upacara Pelantikan Pengurus MPK Periode 2021-2022
Berita Lainnya - 18 November 2024
Resensi Buku: Adhesi
Berita Lainnya - 16 November 2024
Resensi Buku: Chamomile
Resensi Buku: Chamomile
Berita Lainnya - 15 November 2024
Resensi Buku: Pentingnya Mendengarkan
Resensi Buku: Pentingnya Mendengarkan
Berita Lainnya - 11 November 2024
Resensi Buku: Sang Pujangga Pelopor Angkatan 45
Resensi Buku: Sang Pujangga Pelopor Angkatan 45
Berita Lainnya - 04 November 2024
Resensi Buku: Cara Baru Berfilsafat
Resensi Buku: Cara Baru Berfilsafat
Berita Lainnya - 10 January 2024
Resensi Buku: Kebiasaan yang Menyebalkan
Berita Lainnya - 07 January 2024
Resensi Buku: Toba Mengubah Dunia
Resensi Buku: Toba Mengubah Dunia
Berita Lainnya - 24 January 2024
Bijaklah dalam Perkataan dan dengan Berani Memebe...
Bijaklah dalam Perkataan dan dengan Berani Memebe...
Berita Lainnya - 01 January 2024
2023 Year In Review: What Have You Learned This Y...
2023 Year In Review: What Have You Learned This Y...
Berita Lainnya - 04 January 2024
Resensi Buku: Awan (Harmoni dalam Perbedaan)
Resensi Buku: Awan (Harmoni dalam Perbedaan)
Berita Lainnya - 21 October 2021
Beriman dan Rendah Hati
Berita Lainnya - 31 December 2021
Kita Dipenuhi dengan Pujian
Kita Dipenuhi dengan Pujian
Berita Lainnya - 23 December 2021
Kita Menjadi seperti Dia
Kita Menjadi seperti Dia
Berita Lainnya - 15 December 2021
Sekaranglah Waktu Memeteraikan Itu
Sekaranglah Waktu Memeteraikan Itu
Berita Lainnya - 26 October 2021
Carilah Tuhan Selama la Berkenan Ditemui
Carilah Tuhan Selama la Berkenan Ditemui

Choose Your School

GO