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| Belschnickle Appearances in Maine November 23: Portland's Xmas Tree Lighting November 30, 5 PM Auburn-Lewiston Parade of Lights November 30, 6 PM Sparkle Parade in Freeport December 9, 1 PM Brunswick Downtown |
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Give Santa Coal For Christmas Belschnickle Returns! Who is Belschnickle?
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 Pittsburg Live explains he was: Known to 19th century children as a servant of Saint Nicholas, "der Belsnickel" would carry a bunch of switches which were a threat to those who had been bad. He also carried goodies like nuts, cookies or candy in a burlap bag or ample pockets, as he made his rounds to check on the behavior of boys and girls. He would have a large book in which the names of the children and their good or bad deeds were kept. Only good children were to receive treats. If a child had been naughty he or she could also receive a lump of coal or a stick as a reminder to behave in the future. Belschnickle has been described as: "the crazy, evil, Pennsylvania Dutch Santa Clause." …Instead of jovially entering, we would know that the Belsnickle was coming because he would violently rap on one of the doors, demanding to be let in. Sometimes this took quite a while since we kids were often scared." In Hopeswell Furnace, PA, it was said of him: His only consistent
trait appears to be his commitment to justice over holiday good will.
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Belschnickle has returned from his long hiatus to aid the resistance to Santa. One of Saint Nicholas’ greatest helpers, Belschnickle came to America with German immigrants, but his memory was eventually trampled on by the growing influence of the counterfeit Claus. His message and methods were almost snuffed out. But now, he’s back... and bringing Santa lots of coal for being so terribly naughty! Shame on Santa --
for converting St. Nicholas back to a heathen, and for taking the Glory away from Christ! Shame on Santa -- for feeding kids greed and teaching that children are basically good! Shame on Santa-- for giving them sweets – instead of the Truth. It will not be easy, defeating the well-heeled Kingdom of Santa, but have no fear -- for Belschnick’s here! He’s calling on children to bless the poor And calling on children to follow the Lord! He’s calling on parents to open their Doors And let St. Nicholas enter once more! He’s calling for justice and calling for prayer And calling for people to wake up and care For the orphans with AIDS who live in despair And Darfurians murdered by laissez faire. He’s warning all people entrapped by the snare Of a misfit who lies, and who leads them to err In the service of Mammon, the great Grizzly Bear Who drags off his victims to Beelzebub’s lair. He’s calling on those who flock to the store To break their addictions and lustings for more; He’s calling for peace, and he’s calling for war— For he’s calling out Santa for being a whore! Santa, Beware... The Belschnick's Here! Belsnickel may wear a long, black
or brown coat or robe, held together at the waist with a rope, and a
fur cap or bear skin hat, decorated with bells. He may have a band of
Black Peters with blackened faces, or other rough characters with him.
They would be dressed in fantastic costumes, some trimmed with fur, and
move through the streets and from house to house, rattling chains and
bells. The bells would announce Belsnickel's approach and that of his
retinue before they would come into view.
If the children were good,
they received some fruit or sweets, but if they were bad--or doubted the "reality" of Belsnickel-- they got a switch! Give Santa Coal For Christmas
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 December 9, 1881: "ST NICHOLAS DAY Last Tuesday being the birthday of this patron saint and giver of good things to the young folks, a number of young boys on the evening before dressed in false faces and fantastic costumes and essayed the teaching of lessons of charity to still younger ones. They made a hideous looking appearance, and if St. Nicholas looked anything like them, children would shun him instead of clinging to his knees, and climbing to his shoulders with joy." …Pam Service of Bloomington reports that her family took the old custom of St. Nicholas and Belsnickel, moved it to Dec. 31, and gave it a new twist: "I think they did that to keep us kids good while we were out of School." According to her father, "Benschnickel" was Santa Claus' skinny mean brother. He wore a green suit, lived at the South Pole, and his sleigh was drawn by Penguins. On New Year's Eve, Service said, her family would put their hats on the hearth. And if they were good, Benschnickel would leave gifts in the hat. If they were bad, the visitor would deposit limps of coal and switches. (Sunday Herald Times, Dec. 26, 1993, p. A8). |