The Legend of the Christmas Stocking

Osborne, Rick. The Legend of the Christmas Stocking. Illustrated by Jim Griffin. Grand Rapids, MI: Zonderkidz, 2004.

The legend around the beginning of Christmas Stockings is that Nicholas anonymously gave three bags of gold to a man whose daughters could not marry because there was no money for a dowry. This legend is woven into the tale of a boy whose father is at sea and may not make it home for Christmas. Through the legend of the Christmas Stocking told by his pastor and then encouragement of a grandfatherly figure, Peter gives up his dream of purchasing a model schooner in order to purchase gifts for  his mother and sisters when his father is delayed in returning. Osborne closes the book with historical information on the start of the Christmas Stocking tradition. Griffin illustrated The Legend of the Christmas Stocking with beautiful paintings which complement the text. The Legend of the Christmas Stocking would make a great addition to your Christmas collection.

What is your favorite Christmas tradition and the legend behind it?

Legend of the Christmas Stocking is available from Amazon.