“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.” – Psalm 136:1


Read Psalm 136:1. So, to go ahead and get this out of the way, stockings are definitely not in the Bible. But that’s okay! Not all traditions have to be. The original story behind hanging stockings was that the socks (aka stockings) were hung by the fireplace to dry out after being soaked from walking around outside in the snow. Then, when Santa Claus came, he filled the stockings with fruit, nuts, and a small toy if someone was really lucky. There were no stacks of presents around a tree, no boxes on top of boxes of lavish gifts, just some fruit, nuts, and maybe a trinket.


When I look at our stockings, I can't help but be reminded that no matter what we “get” for Christmas, we should be so thankful. Sometimes, people get wrapped up in trying to get the perfect presents or making sure that a certain dollar amount is spent. Some people will even become depressed or upset when they don’t get what they want. Stockings remind me that most of us already have everything we need. It’s incredible just how much some of us have and how much we don’t need.


This isn’t to make you feel bad about what you have but to help you feel grateful and content. So, as you hang your stockings by the chimney with care, make sure you also hang them with gratitude and thanksgiving for what you have.



QUESTIONS:


What are some things you're most grateful for this Christmas season?


Now that we're a couple of days away from Christmas, how can you prepare yourself to be thankful even if you don't get what you want?