Story - Santa Says, "Teach the Children"

[crafterwannabe]

Date Posted: 12:53:04 12/11/04 Sat
Author: DonnaJ
Subject: Santa Says "Teach the Children"

I thought this was great and wanted to share......

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 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 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 to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men."

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 an humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship HIM, our LORD, our GOD."


Replies:
[> Re: Santa Says "Teach the Children" -- Addy, 20:28:24 12/11/04 Sat [1]
Donna, this is great. I'm going to give all the ladies of my church group a copy and read it to my grandson on Christmas eve. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings

[> Re: Santa Says "Teach the Children" -- chia, 20:58:19 12/11/04 Sat [1]
Thank you so much for this wonderful letter that I will share with my Grandchildren.I will try and put it in a book floormat with pictures and read it to them on Christmas Eve.Yes the real message of Christmas is really lost in the hustle and bustle of the world let us light our light and let it shine.Again thank you.

[> Re: Santa Says "Teach the Children" -- DonnaJ, 21:54:52 12/11/04 Sat [1]
Your quite welcome, I thought it was great when I read it and yes Im sharing it with my grand daughter , she is six and this is the first year she really likes Santa so I want to stress there is more than just that.

[> Re: Santa Says "Teach the Children" -- POOKIE, 02:13:28 12/12/04 Sun [1]
It is truly wonderful. I copied it and sent it to all my friends.
POOKIE

[> Re: Santa Says "Teach the Children" -- melody, 11:43:29 12/12/04 Sun [1]
Thank you very much for sharing this with us ! I am going to share this with many others .

[> Re: Santa Says "Teach the Children" -- JudyW, 17:33:36 12/11/04 Sat [1]
Donna, I really loved reading your story. I am going to try to teach my grandaughter the true meaning of Christmas too
Judyw

[> [> Re: Santa Says "Teach the Children" -- kritterno1, 22:33:14 12/11/04 Sat [1]
I read it on here I believe last year. Speaking of Santa and the true meaning, a church in a nearby town has a commercial that shows a frazzled Santa being bothered by cats, etc. he trips on something and ends up picking up a little lamb from a manger scene. Then Santa is shown with his hat off, bowing before the manger.
Kids love Santa and he has his place in Christmas as does the manger and the Christ child.

[> Re: Santa Says "Teach the Children" -- DonnaJ, 17:01:32 12/12/04 Sun [1]
Your right Kittenno1, I've never took Santa away from my kids and I am scared to death someone will tell my grand daughter in school. I'd love to have at least one year when she belives and it's such a big deal to her
I just want her to know why Christmas is being celabrated and feel there is room for the fanasty ( she won't belive in all too soon)and Christ.
Last year was the first year we could have her picture taken with Santa as before she was scared of him so he is a very big deal this year.