So, it’s really important to me that I don’t let the hustle and bustle of Christmas keep my family from rememberingwhat this favorite holiday is truly about. It can be hard, sometimes! We have some special Christmas family traditions that we do, but I was looking for something more focused on The Savior… and, then I found it! Last week, my work-out buddy was telling me about her family tradition of the white stocking for Jesus. I had never heard of it before and LOVED THE IDEA!! We are totally incorporating this tradition into our family this year. I even made a printable poem for us all. 🙂
Not only is this Stocking for Jesus a great family tradition, but it would make an awesome Christmas gift for neighbors, families, visiting teachers, etc.
How to Use the ‘Happy Birthday Jesus’ Stocking
On Christmas Eve every year, every member of the family takes a paper and writes down one thing they want to give to Jesus the following year. For example, ‘I’m going to try to never miss a day of scripture reading.‘ Or, ‘I’m going to have a better attitude and believe in myself.‘ Or, ‘I’m going to work on forgiving ______ and repenting for my anger.’ Anyway, you get the point. The following year, on Christmas Eve, the family gathers to pull out their gifts to Christ from the previous year, read them, and see how well they did. Then, everyone does it again! Neat, right?!?
It’s really simple to put together. All you need is a white stocking. I found the one in the picture at the local craft store (have also seen several at Wal-Mart), glued the gold ribbon across, tied the fancy ribbon on, and done! Oh, and because I will probably give this particular one to a friend, I filled it with a bag of gold candy (a bag filled with homemade treats would be great too!) AND… I put together a printable for you. I stumbled across a poem that was MADE for this very tradition. Yay! It’s called The White Stocking. Read it to the family or include it with your gift.
Jesus Stocking Poem ~ Christmas Tradition
A big ‘thank you’ to the author of this poem, Carolyn Cox Canberra. It explains the tradition in such a special way and is bringing more of Christ into Christmas, all around the world. The beautifulportrait of the Savior is by the talented Jon McNaughton.
The White Stocking
‘Twas the night before Christmas as I walked through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The presents had been wrapped and placed under the tree. I paused, tired, excited, and giggled with glee.
The stockings were hanging and were beautifully filled. No one had been forgotten, though the credit card was billed.
As I look at the scene with the stockings on the ledge. I noticed one was empty, the one on the edge.
Where’s the Spirit of Christmas? What have I done?
The children’s stockings are all full, except for this one.
It was a stocking intended for the child of Bethlehem. The white stocking for Jesus that was hung up by them.
Of all the people at Christmas that might be forgotten, how could I not remember the Father’s Only Begotten?
Only He had been left out of the festivities, as we planned and prepared all, for our families.
As I pondered, I realized this just was to right. It was His birth that was being celebrated, after this night.
I resolved then and there to remember the Lord, and quickly made changes that were easy to afford.
I hung the white stocking in a special place in our home, and corrected the atmosphere to provide a more spiritual tone.
On Christmas morning, I gathered the family together, and each of us wrote on a special piece of paper.
We gave Jesus a gift which we placed in the stocking. A sincere change of heart, not there for the mocking.
The white stocking hung in our home as a symbol for us, of the true meaning of Christmas, The Savior, The Lord Jesus.
So take your white stocking, and hang it with pride. Remember The Savior. Put His gift inside.
~ Adapted by Carolyn Cox Canberra
Click here to download and print The White Stocking Poem
If youloved this JesusChristmasStocking Tradition, check out:
- 24 Meaningful Family Christmas Traditions
- Names for Jesus ~ Family Home Evening Lesson
- Light the World ~ Service Ideas Coloring Pages for Kids
- 10 Reasons I Love the Latter-day Saints Lifestyle
