Christ Child
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Christ Child
An angel-like figure who brings Christmas presents on Christmas Eve in many regions of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, especially those shaped by Catholic tradition.
Die Kinder warten schon ganz aufgeregt darauf, dass das Christkind endlich die Geschenke unter den Baum legt.
The children are already very excited, waiting for the Christ Child to finally put the presents under the tree.
The word is made up of 'Christ' (Christ) and 'Kind' (child). It literally means 'Christ child' and refers to the newborn baby Jesus.
An Weihnachten feiern Christen die Geburt des Christkinds.
At Christmas, Christians celebrate the birth of the Christ Child.
The context shows whether the baby Jesus or the gift-bringing figure is meant. If it is about the Nativity scene, the Bible, or the Christmas story, the baby Jesus is meant. If it is about presents under the Christmas tree, the angel-like figure is meant.
In der Kirche wurde die Geschichte vom Christkind in der Krippe vorgelesen.
In church, the story of the Christ Child in the manger was read aloud.
The idea of the Christ Child as an angel-like figure who brings gifts is a Christmas tradition. It is widespread especially in southern and western Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other regions shaped by Catholic tradition.
In unserem Dorf glauben die Kinder, dass das Christkind die Geschenke bringt.
In our village, the children believe that the Christ Child brings the presents.
In connection with the gift-bringing figure, phrases such as 'ans Christkind glauben' (to believe in the Christ Child), 'einen Wunschzettel ans Christkind schreiben' (to write a wish list to the Christ Child), or 'warten, bis das Christkind kommt' (to wait until the Christ Child comes) are often used.
Meine kleine Nichte hat einen langen Brief an das Christkind geschrieben.
My little niece wrote a long letter to the Christ Child.
Santa Claus
'Weihnachtsmann' and 'Christkind' can both be the figure who brings children presents at Christmas. The difference lies mainly in the tradition and in how the figure is imagined. The 'Weihnachtsmann' is often shown as an older man with a red coat. The 'Christkind' is more of an angel-like figure and is especially well known in many regions shaped by Catholic tradition. Learners may confuse the words because both are connected with presents on Christmas Eve. Which figure sounds more natural often depends on the region and the family.
In Annas Familie legt das Christkind die Geschenke heimlich unter den Baum.
In Anna's family, the Christ Child secretly puts the presents under the tree.
Die Kinder warten gespannt, weil der Weihnachtsmann heute Abend die Geschenke bringen soll.
The children are waiting excitedly because Santa Claus is supposed to bring the presents this evening.