Teach The Children

The Meaning of Christmas

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 him.

The words choked in my throat, as 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 there bewildered, Santa said, Teach the
Children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The
meaning that a now-a-day Christmas has forgotten!

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE
and placed it on 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 that
promise.

He then reached into the 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 then removed a
WREATH and placed it on the tree. Teach the Children
that the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love. Real
love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of
affection.

He then pulled out from his bag an ornament of
HIMSELF. Teach the Children that Santa Claus
symbolizes the generosity and good will we feel
during the month of December.

He reached in again and pulled out a HOLLY LEAF.
Teach the Children the holly plant represents immortality.
It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The
red holly berries represent blood shed by Him.

Next he pulled out a GIFT from the bag and said, "Teach
the Children that God so loved the world that He gave His
only begotten Son. 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 give gifts in the same spirit as 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 shepherd's staff helps bring back strayed sheep
from 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.'

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 a bell, it should bring
people to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and
return.

Santa looked at the tree and was pleased. He looked back
at me and I saw the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said,
"Remember, teach the Children the true meaning of
Christmas, and not to put me in the center, for I am
but a humble servant of the One who is, and I bow
down and worship Him, our Lord, our God."

Author Unknown

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