Does Elmo or Tigger grace the hooks on your mantle or do you have brilliant red stockings lined with fluffy white trim? Fancy or handmade, Christmas stockings are a heart warming and integral part of our holiday decorations. Add the fun of digging through a fully stuffed stocking on Christmas morning and you've got a wonderful tradition filled with sweet memories as well. But do you know why you hang the stockings with such care?
The history of Christmas stockings is intertwined with the story of St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas lived during the third century in the area that is now called Turkey. This revered patron saint lived with humility and generosity, giving to the poor and needy throughout his life. Orphaned as a young child, St. Nicholas felt compelled to give his wealth to the needy and pursue a spiritual life filled with good deeds.
The Legend
Not only was he a servant of God, but St. Nicholas had a special place in his heart for children. His need to help others fueled the origins of the legend Christmas stockings. Legend has passed down that a wealthy man with three daughters lost his wife to a devastating illness. Bereaved and lost, the father squandered his wealth, leaving his daughters without prospects, including dowry money for marriage. St. Nicholas was travelling through the town and heard the story of the destitute family.
One night, the three daughters washed their stockings and placed them near the fire to dry. St. Nicholas, determined to help, tossed three bags of coins down the chimney. The coins miraculously landed inside the girl's stocking, one for each daughter. The problem of their dowries solved, the girls now had a future. Legend states that villagers began hanging their own stockings near the fireplace in hope of receiving generous gifts from St. Nicholas.
Many cultures around the world hang stockings or fill shoes as a holiday tradition. Dutch children place clogs near the fire, stuffed with straw and carrots for the reindeer that are sure to visit Christmas night. Children around the world celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 6th each year by placing their shoes on the front porch. St. Nicholas would happily take the straw for his animals, leaving treats and goodies inside the shoes.
Traditions
The mix of traditions around the world center on the theme of stockings or shoes left available to fill. Over time, the legend of St. Nicholas' assistance to the three daughters has evolved into what the traditions we perform today. Hanging out stockings on our mantles and parents coming up with unique items to fill the stockings has become an integral tradition performed in millions of households around the world.
Why are stockings traditionally red? Hang this one on St. Nicholas too. Legend has it that to honor the kind man who helped so many people, red stockings were used to emulate his red robes when he was a Bishop.
Stuffing stockings had led to so many other traditions that many of us have no idea where they originated. Remember that lump of coal Mom threatened you with? That's linked to Christmas stockings too. The tradition goes that if children in Holland were bad, they received a lump of coal in their stockings instead of candy and cookies.
Is it considered a tradition to place oranges in the stockings at home? If not, why not add another one? Oranges were given as a treat for children in their stocking. In poor homes, any fruit was considered a delicacy and replaced the more expensive candies. In another story, legend has it that St. Nicholas threw gold balls rather than gold coins down the poor family's chimney. Oranges are representative of the gold balls that filled the three daughter's stockings.
Today
Stockings today are available in an array of colors. It's possible to match them exactly to the dcor of your home or buy kits to create your very own unique family stockings. Many ambitious folks choose to make their very own stockings from scratch, adding a unique and personal touch to this symbolic Christmas decoration. Not to worry if you don't have a fireplace, special stands and hooks are available to fasten your stockings to the railing or to place in each child's room.
Keeping this wonderful tradition alive for your family warms the heart as you make new memories every year. Why not add the story of St. Nicholas to his year's family celebration? Throw in an orange or lump of coal and you'll have a great avenue for telling your children the wonderful story behind Christmas stockings.
Stockings represent the pre-season of Christmas, a time of reflection and spirituality leading up to the celebration of the birth of Christ. Every hope a child has, every moment of preparation waits inside those gently swaying stockings that line the mantle. It's a hope for joy Christmas morning and togetherness with family, a message of anticipation that beckons to all of us. Merry Christmas!