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 Clause 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 One and Only 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
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 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.
‘And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and
bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.’
Luke 1:31