Special thanks to Kenneth Kay for this contribution
Teach
the Children!
Author
Unknown
12/13/02
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. The words choked up in
my throat, and 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 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 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
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 and ornament of HIMSELF. "Teach the
children that I, Santa Clause 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 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..." 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 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
shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed
sheep 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 in the glorious news of the Savior's
birth. The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest on earth peace and
good will toward men."
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 the
bell, it should ring 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, Jesus Christ our Lord, our God."