You’d better watch out, you’d better not pout . . . or the Christmas demon may get you. Better known in European (especially Austrian/German) folklore as Krampus, this hideous creature is the anti-St. Nicholas. Just as the fat jolly guy in fiction bestows gifts, Krampus punishes the children who’ve been naughty. Even today he’s still celebrated in some alpine towns just as he was hundreds of years ago. At times this Christmas demon has been denounced, but this horned deity of destruction is apparently having a resurgence. With long hair, cloven hooves, and a pointed tongue he is depicted on the night before the Feast of St. Nicholas. He has historically also been shown sexually pursuing women. Legend says he is the son of Hel who rules the realm of the dead in Greek mythology.
According to National Geographic, whose interest is anthropological and not spiritual, the “half-goat, half-demon horrific beast literally beats people into being nice and not naughty.” Worse than that. The most rebellious children get taken straight to hell, in folklore. Even today, drunken men in Slovenia and the Czech Republic roam the streets dressed as devils. In Austria they now sell collectable, satanic Krampus demon horns. And in America, it has become trendy to have Krampus parties as a kind of anti-Christmas celebration. This week, the TV show “American Dad” (which lampoons conservative GOP types) featured a Krampus festival. An annual Krampusnacht (Krampus night) is held in Washington DC each year.
The Geographic suggests it’s just a psychological attempt for individuals to “get in touch with their animalistic side.” But those who dress as this creature, or celebrate his presence during the Christmas season, might get more than a few risque laughs. Donning the personae of a demon is to invite him into one’s soul. Celebrating his evil with merriment will bring a night of torment, not one which is “calm and bright.”
An encouraging word: DON’T BE ANXIOUS
I was riding in the car with my daughter a few days ago when she said, “Let’s listen to the Bible.” She plugged in her smartphone and began at Philippians chapter four. Verse six hit me: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything . . . present your requests to God.” Like you, I’ve heard this verse hundreds of times, but I needed it that day. To be honest, I was feeling anxious about some things I was facing. It’s wonderful how a simple word from God can change everything. But if we are not reading and hearing His Word, there is no way we can be inspired by Scripture. Whatever you face today, perhaps your own anxiousness, take time for some small nugget of truth from the Bible to impact your heart, like it did mine.
Bob Larson has trained healing and deliverance teams all over the world to set the captives free and Do What Jesus Did (Luke 4:18). You can partner with Bob and support this vision to demonstrate God’s power in action by calling 303-980-1511 or clicking here to donate online.
