1 A week before Christmas I had a visitor. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the Lounge. I opened the door to the room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the tree. He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. “What are you doing?” I started to ask, but the words got choked up in my throat as I saw that 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. I stood bewildered. Santa said, “Teach the children. Teach them the true meaning of Christmas. The meaning that people seem to have forgotten in these days.” Santa then reached into 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 while needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning towardheaven.” 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 Saviour 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 darkness.” |
2 Once again he reached into his bag and removed aWREATH and placed it on the tree. “Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ends. Just as the wreath is one continuous round, love is one continuous round of affection.” He then pulled from his bag an ORNAMENT of HIMSELF (SANTA). “Teach the children that I, Santa Claus symbolize the generosity and goodwill we feel during the Christmas season.” Next he brought out a HOLLY LEAFwith BERRIES. “Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our SavioUr. The red holly berries 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 his only begotten son… Just as the wise men bowed before the holy babe and presented him with gold, frankincense and myrrh, we should always give gifts in the same selfless spirit of the wise man.” Santa then reached into 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 sheep that have strayed, back to the fold. The candy cane represents that we are our brother's keeper and can help other's to return to the fold of God.” Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound and from his bag he pulled out a BELL. “Teach the children that as the sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should bring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.” He looked back 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 our Lord, our God." Author Unknown ~ |
