Christmas Symbols

St. Nicholas and Stockings

History

• (Remember when reading about Saint Nicholas that many of the legends are quite fanciful, and often give the saint supernatural powers, such as control of the weather, ability to 'appear' in dreams, etc. Many times the stories that might have a basis in truth have been expounded on and he has in many cases given attributes normally reserved for Jesus.) Read about Saint Nicholas in these books:
  • The Miracle of Saint Nicholas by Gloria Whelan
  • The Real Santa Claus by Marianna Mayer
  • The Saint Nicholas Secret by Dennis E. Engleman
• lived in Myra (what is now Turkey) in 3rd & 4th centuries AD
• christian man, helped poor
• gave gifts to the poor (sometimes secretly at night) because of his deep love for christ
• his feast day is December 6 because he died on Dec 6 or 7.

Modern Christian Symbolism

• Saint Nicholas was a wonderful example of how christians should use their faith to help others. We can follow his example by giving to the poor and showing kindness and paitence to the elderly and children.

Bible Verse

• (Luke 18:16) But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

• Saint Nicholas especially loved ginger cookies. Use this day to make gingerbread men or gingerbread houses.
• Make an ornament by glueing three small gold balls together.
• Celebrate feast of Saint Nicholas. (December 6)
  • Open your stockings on Dec 6 instead of Christmas morning. Fill the stockings with things that remember the legends of Saint Nicholas such as:
    • something to represent the money he gave to the daughters for their dowry (in their stocking) and his generosity. (chocolate covered gold coins, jewelry, play money, etc)
    • something to represent the toys he had commissioned by the toymaker for the orphaned children (small wooden toys, small toys of any type, etc.)
    • something to represent his devotion to god (small bible, devotional, cross jewlery, etc.)
    • something to represent the food he gave to the poor (fruit, beef jerkey, fast food gift certificates, etc)
    • something to represent the clothing he had made for the poor (underwear, socks, t-shirt, etc)
    • something to represent the gingerbread he liked to bake and pass out for good cheer (gingerbread cookies, gingerbread men, etc)
    • something to represent the ship that he 'saved' from the storm with his prayers (small boat, prayer journal, etc)
  • Make gingerbread cookies or houses
  • Have a feast
• What is a dozen? What is a baker's dozen? This story is a wonderful legend of where the baker's dozen originated. The Baker's Dozen : A Saint Nicholas Tale by Aaron Shepard

Advent Calendar

• Stocking or three gold balls glued together

Music

• God Rest You, Merry Gentlemen

Resources

• Color a picture of Saint Nicholas
• St Nicholas Colouring Page
• Read more about Saint Nicholas. Use Young Families for children under 8, Practiced Families for children ages 8-14, and Experienced Families for older teens.
  

	Family Celebrations for Christmas by Ann Hibbard Holly, Reindeer, and Colored Lights : The Story of the Christmas Symbols by Edna Barth Keeping Christ in Christmas by Steve Russo Celebrating the Christian Year by Martha Zimmerman