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Just a week before Christmas, I had a
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,
Santa Claus himself stepped out from behind
the Christmas tree. "What are you doing ..." 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. 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 again, "Teach the children. Teach them the old meaning of Christmas -- the meanings that Christmas nowadays has forgotten."
"Teach the children the star was the
heavenly sign of promise long ages ago.
"Teach the children," he said as he 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 it. The deep of the fir tree was a perfect background for the ornament. Here was the second color of Christmas.
Suddenly, I heard a soft tinkling sound. "Teach
the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it
should ring for man to
Santa turned the small Christmas tree lights on
and picked up a gift from under the tree. He pointed to the large bow and said,
"A bow is placed on a present to remind us of the
Santa slung his bag over his shoulder and began to reach for the candy cane placed high on the tree. He unfastened it and reached out toward me with it.
As Santa looked about the room, a feeling of satisfaction shone in his face. He read wonderment in my eyes, and I am sure he sensed admiration for this night.
Love to you at Christmas -- and a Happy New Year
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Made by Claudette's
mouse (c) 1999 - 2009 |
©1996...2009 Daily Advent readings - Claudette Holden, Carol Anderson
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Teach The Children
He placed his fingers
over his mouth so I would not cry out.
I started to say, "How can I ..." when Santa reached into the toy bag and pulled
out a brilliant shiny star. 
God
promised a savior for the world and the star was a sign of the fulfillment of
that 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 tree
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 the
people by the Savior. Christ gave His life and shed His blood that every man
might have God's gift of Eternal Life. Red is intense, deep and vivid -- it is
the greatest color of all. It is the symbol of the gift of God.
"The
pure GREEN 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 -- symbols 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." 
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 faded
into the night, Santa drew forth a candle. He placed it on the mantle and the
soft glow from it's tiny flame cast a glow about the darkened room. Odd shapes
in shadows 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 trees -- they were like many glowing stars shining
against the dark green. The colored lights have now taken over in remembrance."
spirit
of the brotherhood of man. We should remember that the bow is tied, all of us
together, with the bonds of good will toward each other. Good will forever is
the message of the bow." 
"Teach
the children that the candy cane represents the shepherd's crook. the crook on
the staff helps bring back the strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane
represents the helping hand we should show at Christmas time. The candy cane is
the symbol that we are our brother's keeper. 
He reached into his
bag and brought forth a large holly wreath. He placed it on the door 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
should remind us of all the things of Christmas. Please teach the children."
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