The Legend of Christmas Fairies
The word "fairy" comes from a Latin word fata meaning 'fate'. This means that fairies are cousins of the classical Fates, who were believed to control the fate and destiny of the human race. We hope that the fairies associated with Christmas are good-natured spirits with kindly dispositions who perhaps appear at this time of the year to assist in perpetuating the aura of good will toward men.
One German Christmas fairy legend tells about a young, handsome, and unmarried count named Otto. One day, as Otto was hunting near his castle, he dropped his gold ring into a well. That night he was awakened by the creaking of the drawbridge being lowered, and the patter of many small feet coming down the hall and into the next room . When he opened the door, he saw fairy beings clad in sparkling robes dancing, laughing and singing around a splendid Christmas tree decorated with gold and precious jewels. Suddenly a beautiful lady came forward wearing a jeweled crown and a robe of rose-colored satin and creamy velvet. She introduced herself to him as Ernestine, the queen of the fairies and said she came to return his lost gold ring.
It was love at first sight and Count Otto soon asked the fairy queen be his bride. She consented on the condition that he should never speak the word "death" in her presence. They had a magnificent wedding and lived happily for many years.
Then one day, Count Otto and his fairy wife decided to hunt in the forest near the castle, but the count grew impatient waiting for Ernestine to join him. When she finally appeared, he blurted out, "You have kept us waiting so long that you would make a good messenger to send for Death!" As soon as he spoke the forbidden word, the fairy vanished from his sight never to be seen again. The count searched in vain and all he could find was the imprint of her delicate hand set in the stone arch above the castle gate where legend says it remains to this day.
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