The Jesus Stocking

Oh the tradition of the Jesus stocking. Well, really the traditions of stockings in general….

One day MANY years ago, my Grandma Atchison made Christmas stockings for her grandchildren. As more and more grandchildren came Grandma Atchison passed down the stocking pattern to her daughter-in-law, my mom. Mom continued making stockings for the family members and then friends (who were basically family) asked for stockings. Mom knit and knit and knit. Each year a new baby was born, a new stocking has been made.

Early in the years of my children’s live…I read about having some reminders about what the season is really about. Things about the Christmas tradition that would turn our eyes on Jesus. I asked my mom to make me a stocking for Jesus. I gathered the items I needed, mostly from the dollar store and labeled them as follows:

• A Santa: “The true meaning of Christmas” Santa says “do not put me in the center. For I am but a humble servant of The One that is and I bow down to worship Him. Our Lord, Our God. Have a Jesus filled Christmas.
• The Bell: Just as lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return to God.
• The Wreath: The wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection.
• The Candy Cane: represents the shepherd’s crook on his staff, it helps to bring back stray sheep to the flock. The candy cane is a symbol that we are our brothers keeper.
• The candle: Symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world and when we see this great light we are reminded of HE who removes all darkness.
• Holly Leaf: The holly plant represents immortality because it never dies. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our savior. The red holly represents the blood shed by him.
• The Star: The star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a savior for the world and the star was the sign of the fulfillment of his promise.
• The Angel: The Angels heralded (shared) in the glorious news of the saviors birth. The Angels sang “Glory to God in the highest and on Earth, Peace and good will toward men”
• Christmas Tree: The pure green color of the stately fir-tree remains green all year round. Reminding us of the everlasting hope of mankind. All the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man’s thoughts turning toward heaven.

Every year the Jesus stocking hangs by our fire and every year once or twice we sit down and one by one fish out the items from the stocking. It has been a sweet time for our family and I think Jesus loves having a stocking of his own as well!

I would love hearing about your traditions! Share with us….