Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened.

I had 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 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. As I stood bewildered, Santa

said, "Teach the children. Teach them the old meaning of Christmas.

The meaning of Christmas that nowadays has been 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 the

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 Claus, 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 berries represent the blood that He shed

for us.

 

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that

God so loved the world that whoever believes in Him shall have

everlasting life." (John 3:16) 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 of 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 strayed sheep

back 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 the glorious news of the Savior's

birth. The angels sang: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth

peace to men of good will."

 

Suddenly I heard a soft tinkling 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 bring mankind to the fold. The bell

symbolizes guidance and return.

 

Santa looked back and was pleased. 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 Him, Our Lord, Our God. Be strong and of good courage;

do not be afraid or dismayed for the Lord your God is with you

wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)