HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-12-03, Page 33•
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1
Stockings can provide an extra measure of joy at Christmas
time.
Page 9
Holiday custom does
back to early Greece
When your family hangs its stockings by
the chimney with care this Christmas, you
are honoring a holiday custom that goes
back a lot further than the greeting cards we
send or the tree we decorate.
Legend has it that this holiday custom was
inadvertently started by a Greek bishop
named Nicholas as he gallantly came to the
aid of a poor young maiden facing a bleak
future.
Back in the days of the late fourth cen-
tury, a young woman without a dowry,
' especially if she were plain, was unmar-
riageable, and relegated not only to a life of
spinsterhood, but also servitude for there
was no other way for her to support herself.
Nicholas took [pity on this one particularly
unfortunate young maiden in his parish
whose father and mother had several
daughters and no money to ensure any of
them a better future.
Nicholas himself had come from a
wealthy family before he became a member
of the Church, and it was his pleasure to be
generous to people in need, always
anonymously.
So, one particular dark and cold
December day as he passed by this humble
family's home, he tossed a small package of
three gold pieces inside through an open
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My mother and I would like to extend our warmest
invitation to come and browse at your leisure. While
looking for the perfect gift of party fashions,
sleepwear and sportswear enjoy our cider &
cheese. Saue'te4.
Please note:
CHRISTMAS HOURS: Starting Dec. 11/86 we will
be open every night until 8 p.m. until Dec. 24/86.
window. Supposedly, the coins happened to
land in one of the stockings hung over the
fireplace to dry, and that's how a custom
was born that survives 1,500 years later.
Before Nicholas died, his generosity — of
which this was just one example — had
already become legendary throughout
Europe. After he died, he would be sainted,
anddit is this same St. Nicholas who would
become Father Christmas, jolly old St.
Nick, and eventually Santa Claus.
It should be noted that the original
Nicholas was reputedly a tall, thin and
somber gentleman. He wore a black cleric's
robe and not a fur -trimmed red velvet suit.
The familiar image of Santa Claus that we
recognize today is largely a product of the
last 100 years, following the publishing of
the poem by Clement Moore, "A Visit From
St. Nicholas."
The generosity of St. Nicholas is still
celebrated in many parts of Europe, but
December 6 is his special feast day. On that
day, gifts of candy and fruit are traditional-
ly given to all good children. Supposedly,
naughty little boys and girls find coal in
their stockings.
In America. the stocking is also used as a
cornucopia of goodies, but it has always
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