Teach the Children

~Just a little Reminder of what this season is all about~

Merry Christmas!
Feliz Navidad!

Just a week before Christmas this is how it happened. I had 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 of the front room, and to my surprise, Santa Claus himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his fingers over his mouth so I would not cry out.

“what are you doing…” I started to ask, but the words choked up 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 single statement of “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 again, “Teach the Children.” “Teach them the old meaning of Christmas—the meanings that Christmas nowadays have forgotten.”

I started to say “how can i….” when Santa reached into the toy bag and pulled out the brilliant shiny star.

“Teach the children the star was the heavenly sign of the promise long ages ago.” “God promised a savior for the world and the star was a sign of the fulfillment of that promise. The countless shining stars at night—one for each man—now show the burning hope of all mankind.” Santa gently laid the star upon the fireplace mantle and drew forth from the bag a glittering red Christmas tree ornament.

“Teach the children red is the first color of Christmas. It was first used by the faithful people to remind them of the blood which was shed for all the people by the savior. Christ gave his life and shed his blood that every man might have God’s gift of eternal life. Red is deep, intense, vivid—it is the greatest color of all. It was the symbol of the Gift of God.”

“Teach the children” he said as he dislodged a small Christmas tree from the depths of the toy bag. He placed it before the mantle and gently hung the red ornament on it. The deep green of the tree was a perfect background for the ornament on it. Here was the second color of Christmas.

The pure green color of stately fir tree remains green all year round,” he said. “this depicts the everlasting hope of mankind. Green is the youthful, hopeful, abundant color of nature. All the needles point heavenward—symbols of man’s returning thoughts towards heaven. The great green tree has been man’s best friend. It has sheltered him, warmed him, made beauty for him.” Suddenly I heard a soft tinkling sound.

“Teach the children that as the lost sheep by the sound of the bell, it should ring for man to return to the fold—it means guidance and return. It further signifies that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord.” As the soft sound of the bell faded in to the night, Santa drew forth a candle. He placed it on the mantle and the soft glow form it’s tiny flame cast a glow against the darkened room. Odd shapes and shadows slowly danced and weaved upon the walls.

“Teach the children,” whispered Santa. “the candle shows man’s thanks for the star long ago. It’s small light is the mirror of starlight, at first candles were placed on the trees—they were like many glowing stars shingling against the dark green. The colored lights have now taken over in remembrance.

Santa turned the small Christmas tree lights on and picked up a gift from under the tree. He pointed to the large bow and said, “a bow is placed on a present to remind us of the spirit of the brotherhood of man. We should remember that the bow is tied as men should be tied, all of us together, with the bonds of good will towards each other. Good will forever is the message of the bow.”

Santa slung his bag over his shoulder and began to reach for the candy cane placed high on the tree. He unfastened it and reached out toward me with it.

“Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds crook. The crook on the staff helps bring back the strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane represents the helping hand we should show at Christmas time. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother’s keepers.”

As Santa looked about the room a feeling of satisfaction shown in his face. He read wonderment in my eyes, and I am sure he sensed admiration for this night.
He reached into the bag and brought forth a large holly wreath. He placed it on the door and said, “please teach the children the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love; it never ceases, stops, or ends. It is one continuous round of affection. The wreath does double duty, it is made of many things and in many colors. It should remind us of all the things of Christmas. Please teach the children.”

And with that Santa was gone. I know I shall always remember and hold dear to my heart the true meaning of the symbols of Christmas.