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 real 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
> Christ showed for us. 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 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 around 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, and Savior.
>
>
>