Author: unknown
The Meaning of Christmas
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 front of the house. I
opened the door to the front room, and to my surprise, St. Nicholas 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 him. The words
choked 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 there bewildered, St. Nick said, "Teach the
Children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that the
Christmas of today has forgotten!"
St. Nick then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR
TREE and placed it on 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
the promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was
the sign of fulfillment of that promise."
He then reached into the 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 then removed a
WREATH and placed it on the tree. "Teach the Children that the wreath
symbolizes the eternal nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one
continuous round of affection."
He then pulled out from his bag an ornament of
HIMSELF. "Teach the Children that St. Nicholas symbolizes the generosity and
good will we feel during the month of December."
He reached in again and pulled out a HOLLY LEAF.
"Teach the Children the holly plant represents immortality. It represents
the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holy berries represent blood
shed by Him."
Next he pulled out a GIFT from the bag 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 give gifts in the same spirit as the Wise
Men."
St. Nick 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 shepherd's crook. The crook on the shepherd's staff helps
bring back strayed sheep from 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 angles sang 'Glory to God in the highest, on earth,
peace and good will!'"
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 a bell, it should bring people to the fold. The bell
symbolizes guidance and return."
St. Nick looked at the tree and was pleased. He
looked back at me and I saw the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said,
"Remember, Teach the Children the true meaning of Christmas, and not to put
me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One who is, and I bow
down and worship Him, our Lord, our God."