The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

STARTING ON THE FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT MOTHER WOULD PUT OUT THE
MANGER FROM THE STABLE SCENE, ALONG SIDE OF THIS SHE WOULD PUT A
SMALL BOX OF LITTLE STRAWS. FOR EVERY REALLY GOOD DEED THAT WE DID
UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE WE COULD PUT A STRAW IN TE MANGER. THE OBJECT
WAS THAT WE WOULD BE SO GOOD THAT THE MANGER WOULD BE FULL OF STRAW
TO MAKE A COMFORTABLE BED FOR JESUS.
THIS WAS JUST ONE OF THE MANY THINGS THAT MOTHER DID TO INSTILL THE
REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS IN US.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO