Mentioning Christmas Eve means thinking of singing hymns and praying with Jesus or Santa Claus riding his reindeer sleigh to deliver gifts, and the image of Santa Claus bringing gifts to everyone and putting them in stockings on Christmas Eve. Until now, many people still wonder about the origin and meaning of the socks hanging on the fireplace and whether they are real or not?
The Legend of the Origin of the Christmas Stocking
On Christmas Eve, children always keep the habit of hanging stockings waiting until the next morning to find a gift from Santa Claus. The story that is passed down shows that many people believe that Saint Nicholas helped poor noblemen through stockings is the main origin of this symbol.
Legend has it that a nobleman spent his money lavishly after his wife died, leaving him to raise his three daughters alone. Because of his difficult circumstances, he was worried that his daughters would not be able to find decent husbands, even though all three were equally beautiful. His life suddenly became so poor and miserable that he worried about not having enough dowry to give to his husband's family for his daughters to marry.
Saint Nicholas decided to help secretly by dropping three bags of gold coins down their chimney. The bags landed in the girl’s stockings which she had hung up to dry by the fireplace. The next morning, the girl was overjoyed to see the money which would enable her to marry and live happily ever after.
However, in the 16th century, Germans believed that on Christmas Eve, Saint Nicholas would put five gifts in stockings that stimulate the five senses and give them to the children who received them.
The Meaning of Christmas Stockings
For a long time, adults and children have believed that if you hang stockings next to the stove on Christmas Eve, Santa Claus will come and put the gifts you wish for in them. Since then, stockings have been one of the images that have influenced the traditional Christmas culture.
Not reallyIt is not the expensive Christmas gifts that are meaningful, but simply giving each other socks to feel the warmth and bring blessings. Nowadays, with the cold climate of Western countries, people tend to give each other socks during Christmas more than Eastern countries. And the concept of socks is a gift that carries a lot of meaning and strong bonds between people.
A stocking usually contains food like fruit or candy, but it can also contain toys that make noise. Jewelry like bracelets, anklets or a colorful book, etc. Although finding the origin of Christmas stockings is not as important as finding joy in the gifts received or given inside stockings filled with love.
Christmas does not distinguish what religion you belong to, it is simply an occasion for you and your family to gather, meet friends and give each other simple but extremely warm gifts.
NGUYEN THU TRA - EDITORIAL BOARD
