Tales of a demon. Nothing that like.. right?
The stories of a Christmas villain who punishes bad children and drags them to hell–a real holiday spirited fable–are worth mentioning each year
Krampus is someone who accompanies St. Nick on his quest around the world to give gifts to kids.
In more ancient lore, we see him in pre-Christian times .. Austria. France. Italy. Slovenia. He may have originated during Pagan times from a horned deity. Either way, as times beats on, he becomes more popular each year.
In 2023, people are gathering around the world to celebrate–if that is the right word–Krampus.
Closer to home, a local festival was held in Jim Thorpe called Krampusnacht.
Coal Speaker covered this topic extensively for years ..
So let’s get to the basics. Who is the lovable Christmas demon?
Krampus was created as a counterpart to kindly St. Nicholas, who rewarded children with sweets. Krampus, in contrast, would swat “wicked” children and take them away to his lair.
According to folklore, Krampus purportedly shows up in towns the night before December 6, known as Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night. December 6 also happens to be Nikolaustag, or St. Nicholas Day, when German children look outside their door to see if the shoe or boot they’d left out the night before contains either presents (a reward for good behavior) or a rod (bad behavior).
A more modern take on the tradition in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic involves drunken men dressed as devils, who take over the streets for a Krampuslauf—a Krampus Run of sorts, when people are chased through the streets by the “devils.”
So being dragged off to hell by a goat monster is what we deserve?
What if–if–Krampus was exactly what we deserve this holiday season?
There are times when we all need to take a long hard look in a mirror. With those Christmas lights in the background.. with the shadows of our reality in the foreground.
What may give us fright, if really were honest in our self-assessment, is that we may really deserve to be on the naughty list. We could possibly even be needing a sinister and disturbing visit from Krampus this holiday season.
War.. pestilence. Pollution. Vanity. Selfishness.. cruelty. Bullying..
Are we guilty?
Do we deserve the sharp fangs and the whipping of bird branches from his sack, maybe even being drug into the underworld?
What about you?
Sure, he drags kids into the darkest pits of hell, but adults should not be immune to the punishments from Krampus should they be warranted..
Krampus is set to visit on the 5th of December.
You may be fine. If 2023 was not your best, perhaps your visitor that night will be less than fun.
Good luck. Hope you were good.
