VIDEO: Changes Only Strengthen Kristkindl Tradition

Changing tradition is hard.

Five hundred years ago, German Protestant reformer Martin Luther did it when he introduced the Kristkindl ("Christ Child") as the gift giver on Dec. 6, replacing St. Nicholas, whose compassionate charity became the stuff of legends during the third century.

Three years ago, the newly formed Frankfort Historic Business Association had the opportunity to reinvent the much-loved Kristkindl celebration to meet the needs of the current community, yet it met with resistance.

Cindy Vassell, co-owner of the and member of the FHBA, said she was initially opposed to the biggest change: a new date. But it's all worked out for the best, she said. This past weekend, the village held its 25th annual Kristkindl celebration, which featured a pet parade, shopping and a cookie walk.

"I like to hang on to the way things have been done, but the changes they've made have been really good, especially moving the date to be closer to St. Nicholas Day (Dec. 6) and away from the Thanksgiving weekend holiday shopping," Vassell explained.

Some treasured traditions still live on, however.

"We have people who come and have to do certain things," Vassell said. "One gentleman who raised his family in Frankfort always orders the collectible ornament for his grown children who are spread out across the country. He's already called to make sure the ornaments will be in at the this weekend."

And then there are families starting new traditions, like 7-year-old Meredith Williams of Frankfort who was on the Cookie Walk for the first time with her mom. Beaming radiantly and chattering non-stop, she bounced down the sidewalk and into , wondering if she was going to get a dog or a people treat.

"This is really fun! It's like trick or treating with cookies," she said.

From the horse drawn wagon carrying visitors through the historic downtown to the families strolling the sidewalks in Saturday's snowfall to the cookie collecting to the Pet Blessing, Kristkindl 2010 encouraged holiday cheer and memory-making.

"People have been stopping their cars in the middle of the street and hopping out to take a picture with me," said "St. Nicholas," who passed out cookies (and only a few wooden switches) to visitors both afternoons. "Even with the snow and the cold and the Bears game on Sunday, the whole weekend has been wonderful. We sold out of the 200 cookie walk tickets early on, and we just had a great turnout overall."

Impromptu caroling late Sunday afternoon by the Lincoln-Way East Madrigals was the fitting end to an event whose roots are in the Renaissance. "We wish you a Merry Christmas/And a happy new year," they sang, their a capella harmonies floating on the crisp winter air, proving good traditions can survive.

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