Christmas is my most favorite time of year. It’s a time for family, friends and celebration of the Birth of our Lord and Savior. Jesus is the reason for this season the reason we need to teach our children and grandchildren that it’s not about Santa but about the gift of a child. We as human beings need to be loved and feel loved that is part of our nature , and there is a need to manifest or show that love but each of us do it in different ways and its so scattered at times that we miss the very concept and meaning behind it.
There is a story I like to read each Christmas season to the children in my own family, and those of friends some may know of this but for those that have not its worth sharing with your children and grandchildren! Author unknown.
Teach The Children
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 next to the fireplace. “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 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 because of the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man’s thoughts turning towards 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 in 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 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 shed by him. Next he pulled a gift from his bag and said.”Teach the children that God so loved the world that he gave his begotten son.” Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.
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 brothers 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 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.
His love for us was a sacrifice like no other and Jesus through the sacrifices he made showed his father the love he had for him. Many of us feel that the way for us t show love is by doing and giving things to others, something thoughtful that often times causes us to miss the important signs of love and many times gifts not always appreciated because its not what we wanted or would of bought for ourselves. We have become a very entitled society and we seem to have forgotten that Jesus asks us to love as He loves. To love unconditionally and with out selfishness.
From my Family to all of your families we wish you a very Merry and Blessed Christmas and “TEACH THE CHILDREN”
DEC