German traditions of yesteryear
Folk tale of the Belsnickle
Short in stature, dressed in furs
Face blackened weathered
Slightly humped to keep warm
Afore Christmas the Belsnickle
Appeared a few weeks thus
To toss a handfull of candy
About the floor awaiting the
Children to tell a Christmas tale
Of being good for the year
Belsnickle's presence excited
Yet feared by the children to be
Good for the coming of St. Nicholas
Belsnickle 'ole Yuletide
December 25, 2014 (c)
Mary Ann Biddinger
SO NICE TO KNOW. THIS IS TH3 FIRST I'M HEARING OF THIS TRADITION... PRESENTED BEAUTIFULLY AND ENJOYED. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS
Reviewed by Linda Krueger (Reader)
Reviewed on September 20, 2015
Here is the Belsnickle poem I grew up with. I'm trying to find who the author was. Any ideas?
Santa Claus comes when you're good
With candy and toys in his sleigh.
But if you don't do as you should,
Belschnickle will take them away.
His nose is as round as a pickle, Belschnickle.
He flies on his leathery wings.
And though you've been naughty, he sighs.
He never likes taking your things,
And tears overflow from his eyes,
And trickle and trickle and trickle,
Belschnickle.
He comes from the Antarctic pole.
As soon as he hears that you're bad.
And carries away to his hole
The very best toys that you've had.
His mouth is curved round as a sickle, Belschnickle.
But if you don't quarrel or fight
And peevishly grumble and groan,
Then Belschnickle is happy and bright
And leaves all of your treasures alone.
So act in a way that will tickle
Belschnickle
I love old ethnic Christmas tales - mine are Polish - but your German one is marvelous as well. And I truly miss the marvelous old world, magical, family Christmas gatherings of my youth.
There are so many Christmas traditions from around the world. At one time, Germany was made up of feudal kingdoms. Each one had its own traditions reaching back into pagan times. When they mixed with Christianity, we have the many visions of Santa.
For the past two years (2006-2008) The Bridge of Silver Wings has earned a name for itself both as a series of poems published in different e-zines and as a book first published in 2007.
What makes this 2009 edition a special one is th
Christmas - only days away; plastic snowmen and glowing reindeer adorn the lawns of neighborhoods all across America. All is calm, all is bright, and yet there is something tragically wrong about this Christmas night.
With swift passage thr
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Santa Claus comes when you're good
With candy and toys in his sleigh.
But if you don't do as you should,
Belschnickle will take them away.
His nose is as round as a pickle, Belschnickle.
He flies on his leathery wings.
And though you've been naughty, he sighs.
He never likes taking your things,
And tears overflow from his eyes,
And trickle and trickle and trickle,
Belschnickle.
He comes from the Antarctic pole.
As soon as he hears that you're bad.
And carries away to his hole
The very best toys that you've had.
His mouth is curved round as a sickle, Belschnickle.
But if you don't quarrel or fight
And peevishly grumble and groan,
Then Belschnickle is happy and bright
And leaves all of your treasures alone.
So act in a way that will tickle
Belschnickle
hug
Kathy
Amor
Regis
The picture is special, too.
Love,
Connie
Love & Peace be with you....... Merry Christmas
William
Thank you for enlightening us on one of them.
Ron