If you are, like us, fond of Christmas TV movies, then you know that it is customary in some countries to hang your stockings on the fireplace at Christmas in order to receive presents. But where does this tradition of the Christmas stocking come from?
The origin of the tradition: Saint Nicholas
The first explanation of this tradition would be associated with the figure of Saint Nicholas , bishop of Myra.
280 years after JC in Asia Minor, Nicholas , a young nobleman, loses his parents and inherits their fortune. Altruistic and generous , the young man goes in search of helping the most destitute and devotes his life as well as his fortune to them. The rumor of his charitable acts begins to spread throughout the country contributing to his fame, however, Saint Nicholas is someone discreet, and prefers to wait until night to help people in need so that his identity remains secret .
According to legend , a peasant who lost his wife found himself alone with his three daughters, without any resources necessary to constitute a decent dowry in order to marry them to a gentleman. Saint Nicholas , having heard of this story, went to the peasant's house at night. Approaching the window, he noticed the young girls' stockings drying by the fireplace. He then put a bag of gold in one of the stockings and repeated his act the next day.
The peasant, wanting at all costs to know the identity of his benefactor, waited for him on the third day. When he saw him arrive with a third bag of gold, he recognized the face of the Patron Saint of children and knelt down in gratitude.
It is said that since that night, custom has it that we place our stockings near the fireplace on Christmas Eve , in the hope that someone would come and leave a present there.
The tradition of Christmas stockings around the world
Each country has interpreted the tradition in its own way ; if the intention remains the same, the form sometimes changes.
In Germany , Saint Nicholas is a very popular holiday celebrated on the night of December 5th to 6th . And here, it is not a question of socks but of shoes that are left in front of the front door or in front of the fireplace in order to find, in the early morning, a small gift .
In Great Britain , this tradition is relatively popular and even has a name " Christmas Stocking " . However, the stocking is not hung on the chimney but simply at the foot of the bed.
In the United States , in addition to stockings, greeting cards are also hung on or near the fireplace , or, as in England, on the bedposts if there is no fireplace.
And you, will you hang your favorite stocking at Christmas? 🎄
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