Legends of Christmas & a Giveaway! #RB4U #TCRW #MFRWauthor

Most of us know a Christmas stocking refers to an empty sock or sock-shaped bag that children hang on Christmas Eve in the belief that Santa Claus will fill it with presents. Typically, the gifts are of a small nature, often small toys, goodies like candies and fruits, coins or other such items referred to as stocking stuffers. But what’s the story behind the hanging stockings? Curious? Read on...

The tradition of Christmas stockings is said to have originated from the actions of a man named Nicholas, who was born in 280 AD, in Patara, a city of Lycia, in Asia Minor. While still young, his wealthy parents died in an epidemic. Nicholas became a Christian priest and used all his riches to help the poor, the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life in the service of God and was made Bishop of Myra at a young age. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his kindness and generosity. True to his calling, Nicholas never married and had no children of his own. But he loved children and often gave gifts to those in his hometown.

A rich man, Nicholas traveled across the country helping people, giving gifts of money and other presents. However, Nicholas always gave his gifts late at night, so his identity would remain a secret. He did not like to be seen when he gave presents, so the children of the day were told to go to sleep quickly or he would not come! Nicholas was eventually named the patron saint of children and sailors (because of his concern for sailors and ships) and came to be known as Saint Nicholas.

Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of Saint Nicholas' life and deeds. One popular account tells us of a poor peasant who lived happily in a small cottage in Patara, Saint Nicholas' hometown, with his wife and three daughters. But their happiness was short-lived when the wife died suddenly from illness, leaving the poor man and his three daughters in despair. All the burden of household chores now fell upon the daughters while their father trudged on with his life.

When the daughters reached a marriageable age, the poor father became even more depressed for he knew he could in no way marry them off to good men. In those days a young woman's father had to offer prospective husbands something of value–a dowry. Without a dowry, the poor man's daughters were unlikely to marry. The helpless father looked around, desperate for some solution, while his daughters did their own cooking, sewing and cleaning.

Meanwhile, Saint Nicholas had come to know of the poor peasant and his daughters. Knowing the financial condition of the father, the kindly saint decided to help him. But, as was his custom, Nicholas wanted to do this secretly. So he went to the peasant's house one night with a bag of gold and waited for the family to go to bed before he could throw the bag through the open cottage window.

That night, after finishing their washing for the day, the daughters hung their stockings by the fireplace to dry. Little did they know their benefactor was hiding nearby, waiting for them to go to sleep. A little later, after they’d turned off the lamps and fallen asleep, St. Nicholas tiptoed to the cottage window and peeked inside. In the light of the moon, he saw the daughters' stockings hanging close to his reach. He carefully put a small bag of gold in one of the stockings and went away as stealthily as he’d come to the cottage.

When the father found the bag the next morning and opened it, he was ecstatic. There was enough gold in the stocking to pay for the dowry of one daughter. It was a God-send. Who could have sent it, he wondered. With this timely gift the father was able to provide for his eldest daughter and saw that she got married to a nice gentleman.

On another night Saint Nicholas set off with one more bag of gold, and threw it carefully into another stocking, so that the second daughter was provided for.

When his daughters excitedly brought the bag to their father the following morning and opened it, he could not believe his eyes. With this gift the father was able to marry off his second daughter too.

But by this time, the father had grown eager to discover his mysterious benefactor, and the next night he waited and watched. Then, for the third time Saint Nicholas came with a bag of gold and walked to the window. The old lord at once recognized his fellow townsman. He fell on his knees before the kindly Bishop, cried out in joy and gratitude and thanked him with all his heart. With his blessings of Saint Nicholas, the poor father was able to see his three daughters married. He lived a long and happy life thereafter.

And this is how the tradition of Christmas stockings is said to have started in the European countries. It is also believed that Santa Claus is actually an alteration of this same Saint Nicholas, Santa standing for Saint and Claus for Nicholas.

Today, all over the world, the tradition of hanging Christmas stockings continues. Children of all ages and nations look forward to Christmas, and when the stockings are hung, they know the most anticipated time of the year is not far behind.

If you'd like a Christmas Stocking stuffed with a surprise, leave a comment, and follow the blog tour. I'll choose a winner on December 15th, and put a gift in the mail for you! Don't forget to visit the other blogs on this Holiday tour for more chance to win!!