Teach the Children & Merry Christmas
A recent news report stated that over 50% of the children in Britain do not know why they celebrate Christmas. I received the article below 2 days ago and liked the message so I am using it as my Christmas greetings to all.
So a very happy and blessed Christmas to all
and hope you have a great 2007 as well.
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.
"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.
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
"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."
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 .
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."
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."
that Christ is the light of the world,
and when we see this great light
we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."
"Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes
the real nature of love.
Real love never ceases.
Love is one continuous round of affection."
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, St. Nick, ( Santa Claus )
symbolize the generosity and good will
we feel during the month of December."
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."
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 only begotten SON..."
"Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.
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 always give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men."
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."
" 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."
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."
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 .
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."
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 a humble servant of the One that is,
and I bow down to worship HIM, our LORD, our GOD."
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 a humble servant of the One that is,
and I bow down to worship HIM, our LORD, our GOD."
posted by Guy in the glass at 7:58 PM
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