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 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 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, Santa Said, Teach The Children!
Teach Them The Old Meaning Of Christmas
The Meaning That A Now-A-Day Christmas Has Forgotten!
Santa 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 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 Santa Claus 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 That The Holly Plant Represents Immortality
It Represents The Crown Of Thorns Worn By Our "Savior"
The Red Holly Berries Represent Blood Shed By "Him"
Next He Pulled Ot 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"
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 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 Angels 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
Santa 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"
Author Unknown
If Any One Knows Who The Author Of The Above Is
Please Let Us Know
COPYRIGHT © 2000-
RASKY'S VIETNAM MEMORIAL
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED