A story in Austria is told that Christkindl began as a wax statue of the infant Christ in a tree, that gave healing to those who prayed before it.
In Switzerland today, Christkindl is an angel that brings gifts. In parts of Germany "Christkindle" is "Christ's Little Helper" who accompanies Weinachtsmann as he delivers gifts. In most of Germany the story is also told of Christkindl, the "Christ-child," riding a mule, who brings gifts to children on Christmas Eve.
In the early years of the United States, the Dutch brought their legends of Christkindle and Kris Kringle to the other immigrants and Americans, and over time he became accepted to be one and the same with Santa Claus and St. Nick.
