Christmas on the Net - The Legend of the Christmas Stocking

The Legend of the Christmas Stocking

"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there"

There was a kindly nobleman whose wife had died of an illness leaving the nobleman and his three daughters in despair. After losing all his money in useless and bad inventions the family had to move into a peasant's cottage, where the daughters did their own cooking, sewing and cleaning.

When it came time for the daughters to marry, the father became even more depressed as his daughters could not marry without dowries, money and property given to the new husband's family.

One night after the daughters had washed out their clothing they hung their stockings over the fireplace to dry. That night Saint Nicholas, knowing the despair of the father, stopped by the nobleman's house. Looking in the window Saint Nicholas saw that the family had gone to bed. He also noticed the daughters stockings. Inspiration struck Saint Nicholas and he took three small bags of gold from his pouch and threw them one by one down the chimney and they landed in the stockings.

The next morning when the daughters awoke they found their stockings contained enough gold for them to get married. The nobleman was able to see his three daughters marry and he lived a long and happy life.

Children all over the world continue the tradition of hanging Christmas stockings. In some countries children have similar customs, in France the children place their shoes by the fireplace, a tradition dating back to when children wore wooden peasant shoes.

In Holland the children fill their shoes with hay and a carrot for the horse of Sintirklass. In Hungary children shine their shoes before putting them near the door or a window sill.

Italian children leave their shoes out the night before Epiphany, January 5, for La Befana the good witch. And in Puerto Rico children put greens and flowers in small boxes and place them under their beds for the camels of the Three Kings.

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Comments

Steve from Kansas, US

21:31 09/28/2009

Thank You! I am looking forward to the holiday season. Thanks for giving us a guide to the traditions we take for granted. We are never to old to learn! SJD

jochelle from Philippines

21:28 09/08/2009

hi kumusta naman mo

Dariana from California, US

21:49 03/09/2009

what story is this but it is a nice story by the way i am reading the real book right now

Anyanwu titus from Nigeria

02:29 12/25/2008

I must immensely be greatiful for the editor that put this important explanation as to meaning ,event and historical development of christmas of which have educated my ingnorant mind the reasons which the celebration is fixed on 25th of december.

Jekyxiang from China

20:31 12/24/2008

thanks very much .i have learned more about Christmas.

jaycee from India

00:23 12/24/2008

very valuieable knowledge

Andrea from New York, US

23:18 12/22/2008

This is kewl! Well @ least now you school kids have alot more info available @ ur fingertips compared to my school days having to do research @ the library & use the encyclopedia's! LOL! MERRY CHRISTMAS Y'ALL!

Marlena

12:08 12/19/2008

here you go

tabby

14:54 12/16/2008

yeah i think most of the people on here are having to do school work but atleast im not doin a writing ass..... yeah its an ok story but who believes in that anymore.But anyways Merry Christmas PPL

Centeral colchester jr. high school from Canada

12:41 12/16/2008

hi...hows it goin? lawlz wazzz sup lol

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