He's a scarecrow that eats children.
According to Alsatian lore, Hans Trapp was a local man renowned for his greed and unscrupulousness. He used witchcraft and deals with the Devil to become rich. After being excommunicated from the Catholic church, he lost his wealth and social standing. He took to roaming the countryside disguised as a scarecrow.
At some point, Hans Trapp became consumed with the idea of tasting human flesh. He lured a shepherd boy to his death, then cooked him over a fire. Before Hans Trapp could take his first bite, however, God finally feeling that things had gone too far struck him with lightning.
Hans Trapp died, but he returns sometimes on Christmas, to go from door to door looking for young, tasty children.
The Cannibalistic Christmas Scarecrow