Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor.
This is how it happened . . .
I just finished the household chores for the night
and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard
a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door
to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself
stepped out from behind the Christmas tree.
He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not
cry out.
"What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words
choked up in my throat, and I saw he had tears
in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone.
Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know.
He then answered me with a simple statement.
"TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was puzzled;
what did he mean? He anticipated my question,
and with one quick movement brought forth a
miniature toy bag from behind the tree.
As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children!
Teach them the old meaning of Christmas.
The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten."
Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out
a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle.
"Teach the children that the pure green color of the
stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting
the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point
heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts
turning toward heaven."
He again reached into his bag and pulled out
a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star
was the heavenly sign of promises long ago.
God promised a Savior for the world, and the star
was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."
He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE.
"Teach the children that the candle symbolizes
that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see
this great light we are reminded of He who displaces
the darkness."
Once again he reached into his bag and removed
a WREATH and placed it on the tree.
"Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes
the real nature of love. Real love never ceases.
Love is one continuous round of affection."
He then pulled from his bag an ornament of HIMSELF.
"Teach the children that I, Santa Clause symbolize
the generosity and good will we feel during the month
of December."
He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the
children that the holly plant represents immortality.
It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior.
The red holly represents the blood shed by Him."
Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said,
"Teach the children that God so loved the world
that he gave . . ." Thanks be to God for his unspeakable
gift. Teach the children that the wise men bowed
before the holy babe and presented him with gold,
frankincense and myrrh. We should always give gifts
in the same spirit of the wise men."
Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out
a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree.
"Teach the children that the candy cane represents
the shepherd's crook. The crook on the staff helps
to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy
cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."
He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL.
"Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded
in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels
sang 'Glory to God in the highest on earth peace and
good will toward men."
Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his
bag he pulled out a BELL. "Teach the children that as
the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell,
it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.
Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked at me
and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes.
He said, "Remember, teach the children the true
meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center,
for I am but a humble servant of the One that is,
and I bow down to worship Him, Jesus Christ our Lord,
our God."
~ Author Unknown ~
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