EP 93 - THE BELSNICKLE!

Who out there loves Christmas? Is it because you believe in Santa, feel the holiday spirit, or just because of the presents? If you chose any of those I wouldn't be mad at you at all, heck I would have picked all 3, but did you know there is more than one gift giver during the Christmas season? A legend about a man covered in tattered clothes and animal pelts with a sack over his shoulder and a bushel of branches in hand was told in Germany back in the 1700’s. This person or cryptid  has since gotten world wide recognition and has been depicted in movies and tv shows. He helps Santa by coming to the homes and deciding whether kids have been good or bad, but there is a twist. Take a listen to this week's episode and let me know what you think. Happy Holidays!

Belsnickle in The Christmas Chronical 2 & The Office

Belsnickle out and about in Pennsylvania

SOURCE MATERIALS:

For the story:

1. Shannon, J. (2017, December 14). What is Belsnickel? Creepy Pa. Dutch tradition seen in 'The Office'. York Daily Record. Retrieved November 30, 2022, from https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2017/12/14/hes-not-santa-and-he-carries-whip-slightly-terrifying-pennsylvania-dutch-tradition/919337001/

2. Burns, M. (2008, December 10). /Appalachian Lifestyles. appalachianlifestyles.blogspot. Retrieved November 30, 2022, from http://appalachianlifestyles.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmastime-in-land-of-belsnickel.html?m=1

3. Indobase. (n.d.). Belsnickel Christmas Tradition - Story, Legends. Indobase. Retrieved November 30, 2022, from http://www.indobase.com/holidays/christmas/characters/belsnickel.html

4. Zutter, N. (2020, December 1). The Christmas Chronicles 2: Who or What is the Belsnickel? Den of Geek. Retrieved November 30, 2022, from https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-christmas-chronicles-2-what-is-the-belsnickel/?amp

5. Schneck, M. (2018, December 12). What is the Belsnickel? Why is it part of a Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas? PennLive.com. Retrieved November 30, 2022, from https://www.pennlive.com/life/2018/12/what_is_the_belsnickel_why_is.html

6. Troop, S. E. (2013, December 25). The Monsters of Christmas. Atlas Obscura. Retrieved November 30, 2022, from https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/monsters-of-christmas.amp

For the video:

1. Netflix & YouTube. (2020, October 19). The Christmas Chronicles 2 starring Kurt Russell & Goldie Hawn. YouTube. Retrieved November 30, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVzBwSOcBaI

2. The Office & YouTube. (2021, December 22). Born to be Belsnickel. YouTube. Retrieved November 30, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkb2B6OCIY4

For the Image:

1. Zutter, N. (2020, December 1). The Christmas Chronicles 2: Who or What is the Belsnickel? Den of Geek. Retrieved November 30, 2022, from https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-christmas-chronicles-2-what-is-the-belsnickel/

2. Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. (2017, December 11). Belsnickel-wha?: Holiday Traditions in the Shenandoah Valley. Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. Retrieved November 30, 2022, from https://www.themsv.org/belsnickel-wha-holiday-traditions-shenandoah-valley/