The True Meaning of Christmas

I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise int he front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas Tree. He placed a 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 and love. Then, he answered me with a simple statement: "Teach The Children". I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my questions and with one quick movement, brought forth a minature 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 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 everlasting hope for all mankind. All the needles point Heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward Heaven".

Then he 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 this promise".

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a cancle. "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 continous round of affection."

He then pulled from his bag an ornament of himself and hung it on the tree beside the wreath. "Teach the children that I, Santa Claus, symbolize the generosity and goodwill we feel furing the month of December."

He then pulled 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 berries represent 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 so that he who believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. 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 as the wise men."

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 strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is a 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 Peave and Goodwill toward Men."

Lastly, he pulled out a bell. "Teach the children that as lost sheep are found by sound, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return."

Santa looked back and was pleased. "Remember to teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center for I am but an humble servant of the one that is. Worship Him! Worship God!"