CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS

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The Origin of the Candy Cane

In the late 1700's in England, all religious symbols, including cross necklaces, were banned from being seen in public. So a candy-maker decided to find a way for Christians to identify each other. He took a piece of white candy to symbolize the purity of the Christ Child. Next he molded the candy in the shape of a shepherd's staff to represent God as the good Shepherd. Then he wrapped three small red stripes around the candy to signify the Trinity, and a larger red stripe to represent the blood of Jesus Christ, which provides forgiveness of sin.

The First Christmas Stocking

Nicholas, born in the fourth century in Asia Minor, devoted his life to doing good deeds and became a priest and bishop at a young age. Since his parents had died early, Nicholas was left a fortune, which he spent mainly in giving to the poor and needy. One day Nicholas heard of the plight of three daughters of an impoverished nobleman. Their mother had died, and in his grief their father made bad business decisions and lost everything, even his castle. Thus he and his daughters had to move to a shabby peasant cottage. Since he couldn't provide dowries for them or even take care of them, it looked as though they would be sold into slavery. Hearing of the dire situation, Nicholas rode to their home that night and tossed three bags of gold in the window. They landed in the daughters' stockings, which were hanging by the chimney to dry. With the dowries provided by Nicholas' giving heart, the girls married and lived happily ever after. So the custom evolved of children hanging up their stockings or putting out their shoes in hopes that St. Nicholas would fill them with oranges,candy canes,dolls, and other goodies.

Custom of decorating Christmas trees

Five hundred years ago Martin Luther, German leader of the Protestant Reformation, began the custom of decorating Christmas tree. While walking through the woods one beautiful starry night near Christmas Eve, Luther gazed at a large evergreen tree illuminated by the starlight. He was struck by the incredible sight, which reminded him of the night the angels appeared to the shepherds in Bethlehem, announcing the birth of Christ Child. He cut down a small pine tree and brought it home. There Luther decorated the tree with lighted candles, which he told his wife and children represented Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. From that small beginning, the popular custom of decorating tree spread throughout Europe and latr to America. Early trees were also decorated with small candies and cookies, paper and glass ornaments.

Christmas Wreath

Symbolizing eternal hope,
the wreath goes' round and ' round,
and where it starts or ends cannot be found.
Woven of things that grow-for life,
and hung for holiday delight
The wreath must be left in place
From Advent through Twelfth Night.