The Nuremberg Christ Child

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The Christkindl is not directly related, as some assume, to the Baby Jesus (the 'Christ Child') but was a figure favoured by Luther and other leading figures of the Reformation (rather than the Catholic Saint Nicholas). The Christkindl is an ethereal blond being who brings presents to children who are good. Luther possibly intended a reference to the image of Jesus as a (very Germanic) baby.

Ironically these days, in more Catholic areas the Christkind tends to be favoured, while in more Protestant or less religious areas, the Americanised version of St Nicholas (Santa Claus) is the one who brings presents.

The Christkind plays an important role in the Nuremberg market, with the girl playing the role being chosen from nominations and applications from the area. Originally the role was played by an actor but these days the successful applicant has to fulfil the following conditions:

She must be a native Nuremberger (have been born there or lived there for a long time) and be between 16 - 19 years of age. She should be at least 160cm tall and free from vertigo!

The six best candidates are elected for by residents and then the finalists appear in front of a jury before one is chosen. She is elected for two years and has to fulfil many official functions as well as give the Prologue which opens the market.

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https://www.christmasmarketsgermany.com/nuremberg.php

@ about the Christ Child

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In some parts of Germany, mainly the south east of the country, children write to the Christkind/Christkindl asking for presents. The letters to the Christkind are decorated with sugar glued to the envelope to make them sparkly and attractive to look at. Children leave the letters on the windowsill at the beginning of or during Advent.

“Das Christkind” translates as “The Christ Child” in English but Germans don’t think of the Christkind as the baby Jesus. The Christkind is often described as a young girl with ‘Christ-like’ qualities.

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And:

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It is the Christ child, or Christkind (Christkindl), who opens the annual Christmas markets in Nuremberg with “its”, or rather “her” prologue.

Here is an extract from the Christkind’s prologue:

…”In every year, four weeks before the time
When Christmas trees we decorate, and everyone awaits the feast,
Here on this square, just as of yore, this market does appear,
Which up and down the country they call Christmas Markt.
This little town is built from wood and canvas
Its splendor’s short, will soon be gone,
But yet it is eternal. My market is forever young,
As long as Nuremberg does exist, as long as you remember it”…

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https://germanculture.com.ua/german-holidays/christ-child/