Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. It was Christmas eve, 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. "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: "TEACH THEM REAL MEANING!"
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 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 everyone that the pure green color of the fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting love of Christ, 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. Said he "Teach them 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 everyone 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 them that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases.
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 them 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 Baby 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 them 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 them 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."
Teach them 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 THEM 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)
