Knecht Rubrecht (Santa's little Helper)
 

The origin of Nicholas' companion . . .

At the retreat custom of Saint Nicholas is almost always accompanied by a figure which is interpreted as a domesticated devil or "conscripted" Hell Spirit often kept in chains, blackened Poltergeist, which includes most of his equipment bag or rod and basket. In the staging, this figure assumes the presence of evil, but evil and punishes the evil, but remain in the hands of the good (= St. Nicholas) is located. The name for this figure varies. Relatively common is the name of the Bogeyman, Bogeyman harsh or rough Percht. The final term on the one hand refers to the devil and the other on the origin of the name Rupert. Diabolical terms are also Düvel or goat or the biblical concept of Beelzebub.

Originally, the bearded and masked companion of St. Nicholas, whose feast day was 6.12. committed in many places in the Middle Ages as Beschertag for the children. Even as Rupert, a servant of St. Nicholas, nickel, Pelznickel, fur coats, Hans Muff, Hans trot (Alsace), or as Krampus in Austria, he moved to pelisse clothing, usually with a rod in hand and a sack full of gifts over his shoulder, from door to door. During the development of traditions of the Bogeyman was sometimes equated with the saints, but then separated from Nicholas and finally to a self-gift bringer, the children at the 5th Nikolausabend (12.) Nicholas (6.12.) Or on Christmas Eve as Santa Claus or companion of the Christ bestowed His gifts.

. . . and here the Poem . . .
 

Von drauß' vom Wald komm ich her;	From out the forest I now appear,
ich muss euch sagen, es weihnachtet sehr!	To proclaim that Christmastide is here!
Allüberall auf den Tannenspitzen	For at the top of every tree
sah ich goldene Lichtlein sitzen;	are golden lights for all to see;
und droben aus dem Himmelstor	and there from Heaven’s gate on high
sah mit großen Augen das Christkind hervor.	I saw our Christ-child in the sky.
Und wie ich so strolcht' durch den finstern Tann,	And in among the darkened trees,
da rief's mich mit heller Stimme an:	a loud voice it was that called to me:
"Knecht Ruprecht", rief es, "alter Gesell,	‘Knecht Ruprecht, old fellow,’ it cried,
hebe die Beine und spute dich schnell!	‘hurry now, make haste, don’t hide!
Die Kerzen fangen zu brennen an,	All the candles have now been lit --
das Himmelstor ist aufgetan.	Heaven’s gate has opened wide!
Alt' und Junge sollen nun	Both young and old should now have rest
von der Jagd des Lebens einmal ruhn;	away from cares and daily stress;
und morgen flieg ich hinab zur Erden;	and when tomorrow to earth I fly
denn es soll wieder Weihnachten werden!"	“it’s Christmas again!” will be the cry.’
Ich sprach: "O lieber Herre Christ,	And then I said: ‘O Lord so dear.
meine Reise fast zu Ende ist;	My journey’s end is now quite near;
ich soll nur noch in diese Stadt,	but to this town* I’ve still to go,
wo's eitel gute Kinder hat."	Where the children are good, I know.’
“Hast denn das Säcklein auch bei dir?"	‘But have you then that great sack?’
Ich sprach: "Das Säcklein, das ist hier:	‘I have,’ I said, ‘it’s on my back.
Denn Äpfel, Nuss und Mandelkern	For apples, almonds, fruit and nuts
essen fromme Kinder gern."	For God-fearing children are a must.’
"Hast denn die Rute auch bei dir?"	‘And is that cane there by your side?’
Ich sprach: "Die Rute, die ist hier;	‘The cane’s there too,’ I did reply;
doch für die Kinder nur, die schlechten,	but only for those, those naughty ones,
die trifft sie auf den Teil, den rechten.’	who have it applied to their backsides.’
Christkindlein sprach: "So ist es recht!	The Christ-child spoke: ‘Then that’s all right!
So geh mit Gott, mein treuer Knecht!"	My loyal servant, go with God this night!’
Von drauß' vom Walde komm ich her;	From out the forest I now appear;
ich muss euch sagen, es weihnachtet sehr!	To proclaim that Christmastide is here!
Nun sprecht, wie ich's hier drinnen find!	Now speak, what is there here to be had?
Sind's gute Kind sind's böse Kind?	Are there good children, are there bad?

Theodor Storm (1817-1888)