More Christmas Traditions and From Whence They Harken

Christmas Bells: This one's easy.

Many cultures, both Eastern and Western, believed that bells warded off evil. In fact, loud noises of any kind, were thought to repel Satan and his minions. Hence, Santa and his sleigh bells and the hanging of jingle bells over the thresholds of doorways.

Candy Canes: Its shape is a give away as it simulates the sheperds's crooks who attended to and knelt before the baby Jesus. Supposedly, the first candy canes were made by a 17th century German choirmaster. They were first produced in America by a Catholic priest, Gregory Keller, who invented a device which could mass produce the candy and their popularity soon caught on. Their red and white stripes symbolize the blood of Christ and his purity respectively. The color green was added later on and represents everlasting life.

Christmas Stockings: Probably the most favorite of Christmas traditions. What's more fun than searching for goodies inside a stuffed stocking! Legend has it that after a nobleman's much-loved wife died he became so distraught that he foolishly squandered his money leaving his three devoted daughters dowry-less, thus, ruining their chances to marry.

However, when St. Nicholas (aka Santa Claus) heard about the daughters's plight he decided that he would come to their aid, but do so anonymously. The object lesson being that it is virtuous and righteous to be generous and expect nothing in return. By the stealth of night, St. Nicholas rode to the roof of their house and tossed three pouches of gold coins down the chimney where they were miraculously caught by the young women's stockings which they had hung on the mantle to dry.

Naturally, word spread fast of the daughters's good fortune and hanging one's stocking on Christmas Eve soon became a tradition.  It's likely that this story evolved into folklore from the European tradition of placing one's sabots, or wooden shoes, by the hearth in the evening to dry along with one's stockings.

Adapted and compiled from livingartsoriginals and the Farmer's Almanac.