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 them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning of Christmas that people have forgotten.


Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a Fir Tree and placed it before the mantle.

teach them 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 up toward heaven, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven.

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant Star.;

Tell 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 fulfillment of His promise.

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a Candle.

and inform them 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. Love is one continuous round of affection.

He then pulled from his bag an ornament of himself.

Help them understand that I, Santa Claus symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December.

He then brought out a Holly leaf.

tell them 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,

Let them learn 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.
And We should always give gifts as freelly as the wise men.

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a Candy Cane and hung it on the tree.

Make the children see that the candy cane represents the shepherds' hook on his staff.
The hook 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.

Let them see 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.

Show 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 an humble servant of the
One that is,. and I bow down to worship Him, our Lord God Jesus Christ.
for it is his birthday that we are rejoyceing on.
so give him a big smile on his birthday. and say Thank you lord for comeing.