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If there is one thing that we know about babies, it’s the fact that we can never completely predict when they will arrive on the scene. At times, they may show up unexpectedly and at other times, they may show up at the most inconvenient time.

For many people, Christmas would probably be the most inconvenient time because there is so much going on around that time of year. They are typically busy shopping, decorating and hanging up the Christmas stockings. Perhaps that is why one hospital has been filling Christmas stockings with newborns for over 50 years.

Photo: Methodist Children’s Hospital

A volunteer group known as the Bluebirds of Methodist Hospital makes the stockings.

Photo: Methodist Children’s Hospital

Somebody came up with a unique idea at the San Antonio, Texas hospital. Children who are born during the holidays would be sent home in their own Christmas stocking and it quickly became a tradition. They even make Christmas hats to help make it look more festive. The Bluebirds of Methodist Hospital is the volunteer group that makes the stockings and hats.

Other hospitals have seen what they did in Texas and are following their example.

Photo: Methodist Children’s Hospital

Mount Auburn Hospital has now been doing it for 12 years.

Photo: Methodist Children’s Hospital

The volunteers enjoyed doing this but the parents seem to get the most enjoyment out of it. They will keep the stockings and caps, cherishing them for many years. One woman that was also born on Christmas day, Janie De Lare brought her baby home and a Christmas stocking some 18 years ago.

Most parents are happy and excited over this tradition.

Photo: Methodist Children’s Hospital
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