The Symbols of Christmas

As you know I received an Advent Calendar this year.  My cousin put a lot of thought into it, and from what she told me, had a lot of fun making it.  On some of the gifts, there were pages like this one, which I could not get to download correctly, so I'm retyping it for you to read.

Throughout the days you will read a story about Santa explaining the symbols of Christmas.

TEACH THE CHILDREN

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 character we all know.  He then answered me with the simple statement.

“Teach The Children!”

I was puzzled; what did he mean?  He guessed my question, and with one quick movement pulled a miniature toy bag from behind the tree.

                                                                        

As I stood puzzled, Santa said, “Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas.  The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten.”

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Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it in front of the fire place:

"Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, representing the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."

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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 Saviour for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."

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One 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, like Gods love which has no beginning or end."

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Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a SUGAR CANE and hung it on the tree.

"Teach the children that the sugar cane represents the shepherd's crook.  The crook on the staff helps to bring back lost sheep to the flock."

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Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT.

And he said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that HE gave us HIS only SON...We than God for his very special gift."

"Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the Holy Baby and gave HIM Gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  We should always give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men."

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Suddenly, I hear 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 ring to guide us to God.  The bell symbolizes guidance and return.  It reminds us that we are all precious in the eyes of God."

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He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL.

"Teach the children that it was the angels that announced the glorious news of the Saviour's birth.  The angels sang Glory to God in the highest, and peace and good will toward men."

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Santa looked back and was pleased. I saw the twinkle in his eyes as 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."

MERRY CHRISTMAS