Part one: The Softer Side of Coal
Part one: The Softer Side of Coal
It’s that joyful time of year! A time when we deck the
halls, hang stockings on the chimney (with care), bake (and eat) lots of
Christmas goodies, and sing lots of off-key Christmas carols with family and
friends. And if you were perhaps not on the best of behavior this year, you
might find a lump of coal in your stocking. As a town of immigrants,
Thurberites would be familiar with the many Christmas traditions surrounding
this mysterious substance.
There are lots of legends depicting the origins of coal at
Christmas time. A 13th century Sicilian and Italian tradition follows the witch
La Befana, who gathered gifts for Jesus after seeing the bright star in the
sky. Unfortunately, she never found him and, instead, travels around every year
looking for him, leaving toys for good children and coal for bad. As a town
whose largest population was made up of Italians, the story of La Befana would
have been a holiday staple.
La Befana
Other coal traditions began in Holland during the 16th
century. Instead of stockings they placed clogs by the fire to be filled with
treats or small toys, yet would receive coal if they were naughty. Other
sources identify with 19th century England, when coal was the most common
source of fuel. Instead of it being a punishment, poor families would get coal
if they were lucky.
While you enjoy the festivities of Christmas time and
participate in all the fun traditions and legends that make the holiday season
memorable, think about the different components that make those traditions just
a bit more fun. And if you happen to wake up to lumps of coal come Christmas
morning, take comfort in that fact that you can
impress your loved-ones with your new-found knowledge!
