Christmas in Turkey + Christmas Stockings
Mutlu Noeller! That’s how you can greet someone Merry Christmas in Turkey … where the world’s most famous, jolly Christmas elf in a red suit hails from (sort of)!
We know the history of Saint Nicholas and the metamorphosis into Santa Claus. But today’s lesson explains how the bishop from Myra inspired the stocking/shoe tradition, when he secretly provided the dowry needed for the daughters of a widow, by stashing gold coins in their stockings that were hung to dry.
But how in the world did goodies in stockings (or shoes in some cultures) get wrapped up with the season?
Gift-giving at Christmas is primarily rooted in the idea that God gave us the ultimate gift – His son, our Messiah. Gift-giving to each other today is justified by the idea that presents are just a tangible way of “showing love” to each other.
Soon enough, the story of this selfless act of giving spread … and the rest is history!
BOOKS WE ENJOYED:
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My Christmas Stocking is a sweet rhyming book that is perfect for littles, to explain to them why people fill stockings every year during Christmas!
The Legend of the Christmas Stocking is great for older kiddos, and highlights why giving is better than receiving.
GIVING ACTIVITY:
Today’s related activity is getting to fill up – not stockings, and not shoes, but … shoeboxes (!) through the Operation Christmas Child (OCC) ministry. They use shoebox gifts, filled with small toys, school supplies, toiletries, etc. to open the door for teaching the gospel in the communities of the young recipients.
Our family filled our first shoebox when my oldest was just a baby, and continued to do so as our family grew. It became such a treasured tradition, that we started hosting packing parties to not only spread awareness of the program but to pack with friends … which is way more fun together!
National Collection Week is usually in mid-November, but you can always build a box online!
Have you packed a box for Operation Christmas Child? Not only will your shoebox box bless another kiddo (which may be the only gift that child ever receives in their young life), but if is a wonderful, practical way to teach your own kids (especially young ones!) how to demonstrate God’s love to others in need.
This activity also connects well with the study of Turkey during Christmas time because, despite the fact “Santa” hails from here, only 0.2% of the Turkish population are Christians! The OCC ministry actually drops many of their boxes to “undisclosed” or “unreached people group” locations, so this would be a great opportunity to teach your kids about how their box giving can impact others with the good news of the gospel in countries or regions that are hostile to the name of Jesus, like the country of Turkey.