Der Belsnickel iss widder do!

Diesember mehnt viel Dinge zu uns in Pennsylvaania. Es bringt kaldes Wedder, vielleicht der aerschde Schnee un aa glee wennich Eis. Wind aus Kanadaa un lange Necht. Awwer es bringt aa Lichde un Grischtdaagsbeem un Gschenke. Un nadierlich, wer hot die Gschenke gebracht? Unser liewe Belsnickel hot’s geduh. Des Munet bring ich eich en Gedicht vun dem wohl bekannte Dichder, der John Birmelin (1873-1950).

Der Belsnickel

Am Grischtdaag do kummt als der Belsnickel bei
Was sin doch die Kinner so froh.
Mer schickt sie ins Bett, dann schloofe sie ei,
Un mariyets – do waar er schunn do.
Nau wann mol der Belsnickel epper vergesst,
Sell heess ich mol gaar net so schee;
Des waar widder eens vun de Aarme gewest,
O ya! Sell kann mer verschteh.
Ken Schuh an de Fiess, ken Kohle im Haus,
Un hen aa schier gaar nix zu lewe;
Der Winder iss hatt, des findt mer wohl aus,
Die Aarme, die kumme denewe.

Grichtkindel iss kumme, waar selwer so aarm,
Sei Bett waar im Schtall uffem Schtroh;
Es bringt uns der Friede, un’s Hatz watt em waarm,
Was fiehle die Mensche so froh.
Un weesscht du vun Aarme, so schteh ne doch bei!
Es hot yo so viel in der Welt. –
Dann geht des Grischtkindel an dir net verbei,
Es bringt dir meh Glick wie dei Geld!

Ich winsch eich en scheener un gsegneter Grischtdaag. Meeg der Belnickel gut zu eich sei!

Do iss en Audio Klip:

December means many things to us in Pennsylvania. It brings cold weather, maybe the first snow and a little ice. Wind from Canada and long nights. But it also brings lights and Christmas trees and presents. And naturally, who brought those presents? Our dear Belsnickel did it. This month I bring you a poem from the well known poet, John Birmelin (1873-1950).

The Belsnickel

On Christmas the Belsnickel comes by,
How happy the children are then.
We send them to bed, then they fall asleep,
And in the morning – he was here already.
Now when once Belsnickel someone forgets,
I call that not very nice;
It was one of the poor people again,
Oh, yes, one can well understand that.
No shoes on their feet, no coal in the house,
And they hardly have anything to live on;
The winter is hard, one finds that our for sure,
And the poor people, they miss out.

The Christ Child came, was himself so poor, 
His bed was in a stall on the straw;
He brings us peace and one’s heart gets so warm,
How happy the people feel.
And if you know of poor people, then help them out!
There are so many of them in the world. –
Then the Christ Child will not pass you by,
He’ll bring you more happiness than your money!

I wish all of you a beautiful and blessed Christmas. May the Belsnickel be good to you!