Local History Professor Discusses Christmas Stocking Origins
By John McDevitt
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - As you hang your stockings by the chimney with care this season, did you ever wonder why? The story goes back to the 4th century in Asia Minor, with the charitable Saint Nicolas.
There are several versions, but it basically goes like this: a long, long time ago Saint Nicolas secretly threw gold into a poor man's home to keep his three daughters out of slavery, for the man could no longer afford to support them. Some say gold was tossed down the chimney of the house and landed into socks drying on the fireplace.
Christopher Haas teaches history and classical studies at Villanova University. He says the Christmas stocking has become associated with the charity of Saint Nicolas:
"Who of course in later legend becomes Santa Claus and Saint Nicolas is one of the most popular and widely revered saints in Christian tradition."
December 6th is the feast of Saint Nicolas and many Eastern Orthodox churches will honor him, including Saint Phillip's in Souderton, Montgomery County tonight, where the youth choir will sing hymns .
Afterwords children will put their shoes instead of socks out and will get treats like sweets put into them.
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