
The Reason for the
Season. . . .
author
unknown to me
Just last Monday night I had a strange
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 of the front room, and to my surprise, I
saw Santa Claus himself stepping out from behind the
Christmas tree. He placed his fingers over his lips so I
wouldn't cry out. "What are you doing here..."
I started to ask, but the words choked up in my throat as
I saw that he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly
manner was gone ~ gone was the eager, boisterous soul we
all know. As I stood there in my night shirt bewildered,
Santa said, "Teach The Children." My perplexed
expression still showed in the near darkness.

"Teach them the old meaning of
Christmas ~ the meanings that Christmas nowadays has forgotten. Teach
the Children that the star was a heavenly sign of promise
long ages ago. God promised a Savior for the world and a
sign of the fulfillment of that promise was the great
Star of the East. The Star now reminds us of God's love
for mankind and of God fulfilling His promise. The
countless shining stars at night ~ one for each man ~ now
show the burning hope of all mankind."

Santa gently laid the star upon the
fireplace mantle and drew forth from the bag a glittering
red Christmas ornament. "Teach the Children, red is
the first color of Christmas. It was first used by the
faithful people to remind them of the blood which was
shed for all people by the Savior. Christ gave his life
and shed his blood that every man might have God's gift
to all, eternal life. Red is deep, intense, vivid. It is
the greatest color of all. It is the symbol of the gift
of God."

As Santa was twisting and pulling another
object out of his bag, I heard the kitchen clock begin to
strike twelve. I wanted to say something, but he went
right on. "Teach the Children", he said as the
twisting and pulling suddenly dislodged a small Christmas
tree from the depths of the toy bag. He placed it before
the mantle and gently hung the red ornament on the big
Christmas tree. The deep green of the fir tree was
perfect background for the ornament. Here was the second
color of Christmas. "The pure color of the stately
fir tree remains green all year round," he said.
"This depicts the everlasting hope of mankind. Green
is the youthful, hopeful, abundant color of nature. All
the needles point heavenward ~ symbolic of man's
returning thoughts toward heaven. The great, green tree
has been man's best friend. It has sheltered him, warmed
him, made beauty for him, formed his furniture."

Santa's eyes were beginning to twinkle now
as he stood there. Suddenly I heard a soft tinkling sound.
As it grew louder, it seemed like the sound of long ago.
"Teach the Children, that as the lost sheep are
found by sounds of the bell, so should it ring for men to
return to the fold; it means guidance and return; it
further signifies that all are precious in the eyes of
the Lord."

As the soft sound of the bell faced into
the night, Santa drew forth a candle. He placed it on the
mantle and the soft glow from its tiny flame cast an
eerie glow about the darkened room. Odd shapes in the
shadow slowly danced and weaved upon the walls. "Teach
the Children," whispered Santa, "that the
candle shows man's thanks for the Star of long ago. It's
small light is the mirror of starlight. At first candles
were placed on the Christmas Tree ~ they were like many
glowing stars shining against the dark green. Safety now
has removed the candles from the tree and the colored
lights have taken over in remembrance."

Santa turned the small Christmas tree
lights on and picked up a gift from under the tree. He
pointed to the large bow ribbon and said, "A bow is
placed on a present to remind us of the spirit of the
brotherhood of man. We should remember that the bow is
tied as men should be tied ~ all of us together, with the
bonds of good will toward each other. Goodwill forever is
the message of the bow."

Now I wondered what else Santa had in his
bag. Instead of reaching in his bag, he slung it over his
shoulder and began to reach up on the Christmas tree. I
thought he was hungry as he reached for a candy cane,
purposely placed high on the tree. He unfastened it and
reached out toward me with it. "Teach the Children
that the candy cane represents the shepherds crook. The
crook on the staff helps bring back the strayed sheep to
the fold. The candy cane represents the helping hand we
should show at Christmas time. The candy is the symbol
that we are our brother's keeper."

Santa then paused. He seemed to realize he
should be on his way. Later would be his big day. As he
looked about the room, a feeling of satisfaction showed
in his face. He read wonderment in his eyes and I am sure
he sensed my admiration on this night. He was his old
self as he approached the front door. The twinkle in his
eye gave Santa away; I knew he wasn't through yet.

He reached into his bag and brought forth a
large holly wreath. He placed it on the fireplace and
said, "Please Teach the Children the wreath
symbolizes the eternal nature of love; it never ceases,
stops or ends. It is one continuous round of affection.
The wreath does double duty. It is made of many things
and in many colors. It reminds us all of the things of
Christmas. Please Teach the Children."

  

To return to my main index, please click the Links button. My Christmas pages are listed below. Thanks!

Happy Holidays
I'll be Home for
Christmas
A Child Shall Lead
Twas the day After Christmas
Why Jesus is better than Santa Claus
Are you ready for Christmas?


You are
listening to Silent Night
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