The night covers your room. Yet, the light coming from the hallway under your door is able to spread some light across the cold wooden floor. Your eyes are heavy from waiting for Santa to arrive. . You begin to close them, but suddenly, you see a shadow move across the light beneath the door. Your eyes widen in excitement. “He’s here,” you whisper to yourself. Your feet touch the cold floor. You shiver in excitement. Your hand hesitates in opening the door, remembering your brother speaking of the Krampus, but curiosity works against you. Your feet sink into the warm carpet floor, as you walk down the hallway into the living room.
The tree looks like it is on fire with all the Christmas lights. Mom had definitely gone overboard. There are a few presents already placed beneath the tree. You look around for Santa and come to realize that something has been placed in your stocking above the chimney. On the tips of your toes, you are able to reach into your stocking. Not having to take your gift out, you realize what Santa has left you is not the little toy car you wanted. Instead, the rocks of coal stain your hand.
A sound comes from behind the tree. You turn quickly, thinking its Santa. You’re ready to argue and demand for an explanation as to why you got coal. But, the figure that comes out from behind the tree is far from the jolly old Santa Clause. You are face to face with the Krampus, the very thing that your brother and parents had warned you about. You begin to scream, but your voice is lost as the Krampus falls upon you, whip and chain in hand.
Many of us are acquainted with the myth of Santa Clause. The image of a jolly, large man miraculously squeezing his way down chimneys, walking through walls, and having an amazing method of transportation (flying reindeer) comes to mind when thinking of good old Saint Nick. The image of little elves slaving away in workshops helping Santa Clause prepare for Christmas is also common. However, the idea of a Krampus, an incubus demon, accompanying Santa Clause on Christmas Eve in search of naughty children makes a kid want to be on the good list. The idea that the Santa Claus will give coal to those naughty children does not seem as terrifying as having a hairy demon in waiting eager to whip and or eat you.
Ultimately, I believe that the Krampus was used as a means to instilling good moral standards within younger generations. Furthermore, I believe the Krampus served as a way of showing that bad actions had bad consequences. Also, the idea of the Krampus being a demon shows a societal recognition of hell and the fear of bad consequences leading to experiencing any form of hell.
Moreover, both videos show different adaptations of the Krampus; however, the basic idea of the original story remains in tact.
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