In Hungary, Mikulas may be accompanied by a little black devil, who holds a switch at the ready, to be used on naughty children. Likewise, in Germany he is often seen with his assistant, Knecht Ruprecht, also known as Krampus or Pelzebock. In Holland, Sinterklass's assistant is called Black Peter. Black Peter arrives with Sinterklass and takes all the naughty children away, while the good ones are given gifts. There is even a legend that says that Black Peter, or the devil, was put into chains and made a slave by St. Nicholas.
Not all Christmas helpers and legends are so frightening, though. For example, in Iceland, Joladveinar (Christmas boys) are the children of two trolls named Gryla and Leppaludi. Gryla traditionally gathered naughty human children to feed her bedridden husband. However, the Joladveinar are somewhat milder and much more kind than their parents. They start arriving at homes in Iceland 13 days before Christmas, and chaos ensues; but not without its share of fun and presents for the children.
In Germany, Knecht Ruprecht is not Santa's only assistant. He is also accompanied by "Christ's Little Helper." In Switzerland, Christkindli is a white angel who is assisted by child-helpers. In Sweden, they have elves living deep in the forests that are very good craftsmen, called Tompte. Along the trail to the North Pole, there are Snow Babies which help Santa Claus deliver gifts to the Eskimo children. In Mexico and Spain, the gifts usually are not delivered by Santa Claus at all. The children receive gifts from the holy Magi, or Three Wise Men, who are on their way to visit the infant Christ. And in Italy and Russia, there is the legend of the woman who could not stop cleaning long enough to visit the infant Christ, and now travels the world on her broom in search of Him, handing out gifts that were meant for the holy babe.
Santa Claus and all of his helpers always appreciate the gifts that are left for them as they go about their annual travels, from cookies and milk to hay and carrots. Perhaps the greatest gift any of them could receive is the feeling of warmth and love that encompasses them in all the homes around the world, and all the hearts, where they are welcomed.
