Christmas in Ritual and Tradition, Christian and Pagan

Chapter 9

Chapter 952 wordsPublic domain

CHRISTMAS EVE AND THE TWELVE DAYS 227

Christkind, Santa Klaus, and Knecht Ruprecht--Talking Animals and other Wonders of Christmas Eve--Scandinavian Beliefs about Trolls and the Return of the Dead--Traditional Christmas Songs in Eastern Europe--The Twelve Days, their Christian Origin and Pagan Superstitions--The Raging Host--Hints of Supernatural Visitors in England--The German _Frauen_--The Greek _Kallikantzaroi_.