"Santa's Christmas Story"

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, 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 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 into 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 a 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 Goodwill 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

as the wise men.'

Santa then reached into 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 staff helps to bring back strayed sheep

from the flock.

The Candy Cane is a 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

who heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth.

The Angels sang,`Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth , Peace and Goodwill 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 

bring mankind to the fold.

The Bell symbolizes Guidance and Return.'

Santa looked back and was pleased.

He looked back at me, and I saw the twinkle 

had returned to 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, 

and

Our God.'

                                       ~Unknown  
~Merry Christmas!

 ~Beannaichte'

Christmas-2011