Let's Talk: Christmas Traditions
A Rescue Tradition Built on Christmas Stockings and Christian Love
The traditional hanging of stockings at Christmas comes from a story about a real third-century Christian, Saint Nicholas of Myra, who lived from March 15, 270-December 6, 343.
Saint Nicholas was an early believer of Grecian descent who lived in Asia Minor, probably in what is today Turkey. Legend has it that Nicholas took pity on three poverty-stricken sisters who were destined to be sold into slavery. While the girls’ socks were drying by the heat of the fireplace, Saint Nicholas reportedly tossed bags of gold through a window into the socks and rescued the girls from their fate.
True or not, the story is built on generosity and is an ideal example for considering how we can bless others today. In every city there are people living in poverty, and human trafficking is as much or more a problem in our day as it was in the third and fourth centuries.
Perhaps your family can play Saint Nicholas to another family, serve at a local soup kitchen, or help rescue the lost.
Samaritan’s Purse, The Faith Alliance Against Slavery and Trafficking, and Shared Hope International are all Christian organizations that seek to protect or rescue people from human trafficking.
Perhaps if you fill stockings this year (or add to a stocking that has been filled by someone else), you might consider including a note that a gift has been given in honor of the stocking recipient to one of the above organizations. You might also include some information about the legend of Saint Nicholas along with a Scripture of two.
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18, ESV).
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” (Colossians 1:13, NIV).
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father” (Galatians 1:3-4, NIV).
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things!’” (Isaiah 52:7a).
