While in the rest of Italy, on Christmas Eve, children impatiently await the arrival of Santa Claus, in Alto Adige the idea is widespread that it is baby Jesus to bring gifts to good children. Here, the Little Child, called in German "Christkindl”, arrives in homes immediately after the afternoon mass at 16pm. The little ones, returning from church, await the sound of a bell announcing that the gifts have arrived and can be unwrapped.
Thus, between the colored lights and the family gathered waiting for the dinner, the party becomes even more beautiful thanks to the contagious joy and naturalness of the little ones in the house, who open their colorful packages with eyes full of wonder. Once upon a time, when there was no current prosperity, the gift awaited by children was only one and very simple, but it had a very profound value.
The letter and the wait
In South Tyrol, around mid-December, children write a little letter to Baby Jesus to ask for gifts of the toys they most wish to receive on Christmas Eve. The letter is then left on the balcony, where the "Christkindl" will collect it. The anticipation is great and grows day by day. On December 24th, when the South Tyrolean family goes to 16pm mass, an adult remains at home to await the arrival of Baby Jesus. In reality, he has a very specific task: to arrange all the gifts under the Christmas tree that the little ones have carefully decorated together with their parents. At the end of the mass, the children return home carrying the Bethlehem candle.
Trembling, but in religious silence, they await the sound of the bell, which corresponds to Jesus' approval. Upon hearing the sound, joyful, they reach the tree and the much desired gifts. As happens in Alto Adige, it would be Baby Jesus himself who would bring gifts to children in other countries, such as Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia and Hungary. In other Italian regions, as in many other parts of the world, however, common tradition dictates that it is Santa Claus, with his sleigh pulled by reindeer, to reach all the houses to leave gifts for the children.
(Photo: Pixabay)
