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To
Everything There is a Season: . A Time to Weep, A Time to
Laugh.
Ecclesiastes 3
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The Meaning of Christmas
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 him.
The words choked in my throat, as 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 there bewildered, Santa said, Teach the Children! Teach them
the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that a now-a-day Christmas
has forgotten!
Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it
on 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 that promise.
He then reached into the 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 then removed a WREATH
and placed it on the tree. Teach the Children that the wreath
symbolizes the eternal nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is
one continuous round of affection.
He then pulled out from his bag an ornament of HIMSELF. Teach the
Children that Santa Claus symbolizes the generosity and good will we
feel during the month of December.
The Meaning of Christmas
(cont).
He reached in again and pulled out a HOLLY LEAF. Teach the Children the
holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns
worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent blood shed by Him.
Next he pulled out a GIFT from the bag and said, "Teach the Children
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. We should give gifts in the same spirit as 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 shepherd's staff helps bring back
strayed sheep from 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.'
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 a bell, it should bring people to the fold. The bell
symbolizes guidance and return.
Santa looked at the tree and was pleased. He looked back at me and I
saw the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the
Children the true meaning of Christmas, and not to put me in the
center, for I am but a humble servant of the One who is, and I bow down
and worship Him, our Lord, our God."
Return to A Time to
Laugh HOME from The Meaning of Christmas
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