Page 36 - 200912 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - December 2009

36 Christmas Traditions 36 Christmas Traditions Christmas Traditions Christmas Traditions Christmas Stockings Christmas stockings are hung near the chimney on Christmas Eve for Santa Claus to fill it with goodies for the children. It is an empty sock or a bag that is given the shape of a sock. The children in United States and some other countries have been following this tradition of hanging a Christmas stocking, believing that Father Christmas will fill it with sweets and gifts for them. The items that are believed to be stuffed in the Christmas stocking by Santa Claus are known as stocking stuffers. In Northern Europe Christmas occurred The tradition of the Christmas stockings during the middle of winter, when ghosts and began by a story told since ancient time about a demons could be heard howling in the winter kind noble man who had three daughters. The winds. Boughs of holly, believed to have wife of the nobleman expired and the daughters magical powers since they remained green and their father were left in a state of sorrow. through the harsh winter, were often placed over The daughters had to do all the work in the the doors of homes to drive evil away. Greenery house. When the daughters became young and was also brought indoors to freshen the air and eligible for marriage, the poor father could not brighten the mood during the long, dreary afford to give the huge dowries to their winter. husbands. Legend also has it that holly sprang from One evening the daughters, after the footsteps of Christ as he walked the earth. washing their stockings hung them near the fire The pointed leaves were said to represent the place to be dried. Santa Claus being moved by crown of thorns Christ wore while on the cross the plight of the daughters came in and put in and the red berries symbolized the blood he three bags of gold one in each of the stocking shed. hanging by the chimney. The next morning the Mistletoe was used by Druid priests 200 years family noticed the gold bags and the nobleman before the birth of Christ in their winter Poinsettias had enough for his daughter’s marriage. The celebrations. They revered the plant since it had daughters got married and they lived happily no roots yet remained green during the cold ever after. Since then children have been months of winter. hanging Christmas stockings. The ancient Celtics believed mistletoe to Christmas stockings are supposed to have magical healing powers and used it as an have the gifts given by Santa Claus. The other antidote for poison, infertility, and to ward of gifts are wrapped in present papers and placed evil spirits. The plant was also seen as a symbol near the Christmas tree. It is believed that a of peace, and it is said that among Romans, child who misbehaves during the year will not enemies who met under mistletoe would lay get a gift in their Christmas stocking. The down their weapons and embrace. Christmas stockings are traditionally hung on Scandanavians associated the plant with the fireplace. But as most of the modern homes Frigga, their goddess of love, and it may be do not have a fireplace, any location is suitable from this that we derive the custom of kissing for hanging the Christmas stockings. In many under the mistletoe. Those who kissed under the traditions the Christmas stocking is to be stuffed mistletoe had the promise of happiness and by a gift that will stimulate the five sensory good luck in the following year. A native Mexican plant, poinsettias were named organs. after Joel R. Poinsett, U.S. ambassador to The gift given by Santa Claus would be Holly, Ivy and Greenery Mexico who brought the plant to America in something to eat, a thing that makes a sound and 1828. Poinsettias were likely used by Mexican gives a pleasant view to the eyes or gift which Franciscans in their 17th century Christmas has a lovely fragrance. celebrations. One legend has it that a young In the present modern culture there are Mexican boy, on his way to visit the village special Christmas stockings available in the Nativity scene, realized he had no gift for the market. Some families design unique stockings Christ child. He gathered pretty green branches for each family member. from along the road and brought them to the church. Mistletoe (Continued on Page 38)