Das Christ-Elflein

About the show

In a midwinter forest, the elf Elflein asks the tree spirit Tannengreis about Christmas. Frieder passes on his way to seek a doctor for his dying sister Trautchen, while his servants encounter Knecht Ruprecht as they search for a tree. The Christ Child promises to bring Trautchen a tree on Christmas Eve, and Elflein follows him despite Tannengreis’s warnings. At the family home, the Christ Child says Trautchen will die. Elflein offers to take her place; the Christ Child grants the elf a soul and names him Christ-Elflein, allowing him to return each Christmas. Trautchen recovers, Frieder regains his faith, and Tannengreis makes peace with humanity.