This is something I think needs to be passed on for
generations to come, not necessarily the story but the
meaning of each Christmas symbol. This story was sent
to me, so I am not the author just a messenger!
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 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 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 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 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 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 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, our Lord, our God."