The Christmas Traditions and Their Dark Origins
Nowhere else in France does Christmas carry such mythological weight as in Alsace-Lorraine. The region claims to have given the world the Christmas tree, and while historians debate this, none dispute that Alsatian Christmas traditions preserve pre-Christian elements more openly than elsewhere.
Sankt Nikolaus and His Shadow
Saint Nicholas, patron of children, arrives on December 6th throughout Alsace-Lorraine. But unlike the jolly figure known elsewhere, here he travels with a dark companion: Hans Trapp in Alsace, Père Fouettard (Father Whipper) in Lorraine. This figure, dressed in black or furs, carries chains and switches to punish naughty children while Saint Nicholas rewards the good.
The historical Hans Trapp was supposedly Hans von Trotha, a 15th-century knight excommunicated for his cruelty. Legend says he haunted the forests around Wissembourg, dressed in straw and furs, preying on travelers until divine lightning struck him down. But his origins run deeper than medieval history.
Hans Trapp embodies the Wild Man archetype—the Wilder Mann of German tradition, the Homme Sauvage of French lore. These beings, covered in hair or leaves, represent nature's untamed power. Their incorporation into Christian festival as Saint Nicholas's servant mirrors how pagan deities became saints' companions throughout Europe.
In some villages, Hans Trapp still performs pre-Christian functions: - Testing children's courage (those who stand firm receive secret rewards) - Blessing households with fertility for the coming year - Driving out evil spirits with his chains and bells
Parents who portray Hans Trapp report strange experiences: difficulty removing costumes, speaking in voices not their own, or children recognizing them despite elaborate disguises—as if something else wore their bodies during the ritual.
The Christkindel and the Gift-Bringers
Protestant Reformers, uncomfortable with Saint Nicholas's Catholic associations, promoted the Christkindel (Christ Child) as gift-bringer. But in Alsace-Lorraine's syncretic tradition, the Christkindel evolved into something unique—often portrayed as a girl in white with golden hair, crown of candles, and gossamer wings.
This figure bears suspicious resemblance to pre-Christian light-bringers: - Lucia, the light-maiden who defeated winter darkness - Perchta, the Germanic goddess who rewarded spinning and punished laziness - The Lichterfrau (Light Woman) who blessed households at year's end
The Christkindel speaks only to pure-hearted children, and her words, if remembered correctly, bring year-long protection. But false Christkindels also walk during Advent—Buttenmännel (demons in white robes) who test families' faith. True Christkindels cast shadows; false ones don't.
The Christmas Tree's Hidden Meanings
Alsace's claim to the Christmas tree tradition includes mystical elements lost in modern practice. The tree wasn't merely decorative but a ritual object with specific requirements:
- Species: Originally only fir, representing immortality - Decorations: Each had meaning—apples for knowledge, nuts for hidden wisdom, cookies shaped like protective symbols - Placement: The tree must never touch the ground once cut, lest its power drain away - Disposal: Burned on Epiphany with specific words to release the trapped year's evils
Families still practicing traditional ways report phenomena: ornaments moving overnight, presents appearing that no one claims to have placed, and most commonly, the tree remaining fresh far longer than it should, sometimes budding in January despite being cut in November.