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Dogs dress up for Nativity scene ahead of Christmas holiday
See these adorable dogs dressed up for a Nativity scene while at doggy daycare in Coventry, in central England.
It’s the nearly Christmas, which means it’s time to hang Christmas stockings.
But where exactly does the holiday tradition come from? According to History.com, hanging stockings comes from a legend about Saint Nicholas.
In that legend, Saint Nicholas gave three poor sisters gold coins and dropped the coins down the chimney. One of the coins went into a pair of shoes that were left on the hearth, while another coin went into a pair of socks that were hanging by the fire to dry, the website states.
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Because of that legend, on Christmas Eve, children in Scandinavia leave their shoes on the hearth, while children in the U.S. and the U.K. leave their stockings on their bedpost or near the fireplace in the hopes that the stockings and shoes will be filled with treats, History.com reported.
The tradition of hanging stockings reportedly comes from a legend about Saint Nicholas. (iStock)
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The tradition of hanging stockings in the U.S. was solidified with the 1823 publication of Clement Clarke Moore’s poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas," also known as "The Night Before Christmas."
At the beginning of the famous poem, Moore writes that on Christmas Eve, "the stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there."
Many Americans may fill Christmas stockings with small gifts and goodies for their loved ones. (iStock)
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Near the end of the poem, Moore writes that during his visit, St. Nicholas "filled all the stockings."
Today, stockings are often filled with candy, treats and small toys.
Ann W. Schmidt is an associate on Fox Business' Strategic Initiatives team.
As an enthusiast with a profound understanding of cultural traditions and historical contexts, I've delved deep into the roots of various customs, including the intriguing history behind Christmas traditions. My extensive knowledge in this domain stems from an avid interest in folklore, historical narratives, and cultural practices. Allow me to shed light on the fascinating concepts embedded in the article about the origin of hanging Christmas stockings.
The article mentions the tradition of hanging stockings during Christmas, attributing it to a legend involving Saint Nicholas. The narrative suggests that Saint Nicholas, in an act of generosity, gave gold coins to three poor sisters and dropped them down the chimney. This led to coins landing in a pair of shoes and a pair of socks by the fire. The act of leaving stockings or shoes out on Christmas Eve in the hopes of receiving treats is then connected to this legend.
The custom, particularly in the U.S., gained prominence with the 1823 publication of Clement Clarke Moore's iconic poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas" or "The Night Before Christmas." In this poem, the author vividly describes the scene on Christmas Eve, emphasizing the hanging of stockings by the chimney with the anticipation of St. Nicholas arriving to fill them with gifts.
This historical perspective reveals the cultural evolution of the tradition, where folklore and literature converge to shape the practices we observe today. Children in Scandinavia leave their shoes on the hearth, while those in the U.S. and the U.K. hang stockings by the fireplace, all in alignment with the centuries-old legend of Saint Nicholas.
In contemporary times, the tradition endures, with stockings becoming vessels for small gifts, candies, treats, and toys. The evolution of this custom showcases the dynamic nature of cultural practices, as they blend ancient legends with more recent literary contributions like Moore's poem.
To summarize, the concepts encompassed in the article involve the legendary act of Saint Nicholas, the transition of this legend into a widespread Christmas tradition, and the cultural nuances shaping the modern practice of hanging stockings filled with festive delights. These insights underscore the rich tapestry of cultural customs, where stories and traditions interweave to create the vibrant mosaic of our holiday celebrations.
