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Teach The Children The REAL Meaning of Christmas
Unknown | Unknown

Posted on 12/24/2003 8:48:05 PM PST by cpforlife.org

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 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 out 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


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Culture/Society; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: christmas; meaning; ofchristmas; real
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1 posted on 12/24/2003 8:48:06 PM PST by cpforlife.org
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Click http://cpforlife.org/id49 for a Digital Christmas Card.
2 posted on 12/24/2003 8:48:39 PM PST by cpforlife.org (The Missing Key of the Pro-Life Movement is at www.CpForLife.org)
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To: MHGinTN; Coleus; nickcarraway; Mr. Silverback; Canticle_of_Deborah; TenthAmendmentChampion; ...
PING
3 posted on 12/24/2003 8:50:38 PM PST by cpforlife.org (The Missing Key of the Pro-Life Movement is at www.CpForLife.org)
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To: cpforlife.org
Thanks for this nice post. I printed it. When the kids wake up in the morning, they'll find it under the tree with their gifts. I'll have them all read it.
4 posted on 12/24/2003 9:10:28 PM PST by concerned about politics ( Liberals are still stuck at the bottom of Maslow's Hierarchy)
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To: concerned about politics
Now THAT is a great idea!!
5 posted on 12/24/2003 9:12:44 PM PST by cpforlife.org (The Missing Key of the Pro-Life Movement is at www.CpForLife.org)
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To: cpforlife.org
We just read Matthew 1:18~2:12 and Luke 2:1~20 with our children. They KNOW John 3:16.

We know we deserve "the wages of sin" but are offered the gift of grace.

6 posted on 12/24/2003 9:17:35 PM PST by Johnny Crab
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To: cpforlife.org; Northern Yankee
BUMPed and bookmarked
7 posted on 12/24/2003 9:19:20 PM PST by kstewskis (63 more days until Lent and "The Passion" is released...and no I am NOT giving up Mel for Lent!)
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To: cpforlife.org
read later
8 posted on 12/24/2003 9:25:06 PM PST by LiteKeeper
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To: cpforlife.org; All
A CHRISTmas Celebration Online!

9 posted on 12/24/2003 9:42:16 PM PST by Cindy
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To: Cindy
Thanks for the LINK!!!
10 posted on 12/24/2003 10:28:20 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach (Davis is now out of Arnoold's Office , Bout Time!!!!)
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To: cpforlife.org
Wow! That's a keeper. I will definitely make copies and make sure my young nieces and nephews get a copy.
11 posted on 12/24/2003 10:56:30 PM PST by sneakers
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To: cpforlife.org
BTTT !!
12 posted on 12/24/2003 11:09:00 PM PST by davidosborne (www.davidosborne.net)
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To: JennieOsborne; /\XABN584; 10mm; 3D-JOY; 5Madman; <1/1,000,000th%; 11B3; 1Peter2:16; ...
passing it on.
13 posted on 12/24/2003 11:09:40 PM PST by davidosborne (www.davidosborne.net)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach
You're welcome Ernest.

CHRISTmas blessings and peace and comfort
to you.

Cindy
14 posted on 12/24/2003 11:10:55 PM PST by Cindy
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To: cpforlife.org
Wonderful!

Merry Christmas!
15 posted on 12/24/2003 11:37:04 PM PST by Canticle_of_Deborah
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To: davidosborne; farmfriend; SierraWasp; AAABEST; Archie Bunker on steroids; amom; Jeff Head; AuntB; ..
And all the great freepers out there...


Merry Christmas!!!

Keep the real meaning of Christmas alive and well, that you and yours have a wonderful holiday season!
16 posted on 12/25/2003 12:02:54 AM PST by Issaquahking
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To: cpforlife.org
What a wonderful post. We have a statue of Santa, hat held in his hands, kneeling at the manger, praying to the Christchild. When my kids wake up, they will all have received three presents (left from Santa)...because the three wisemen each brought a present for baby Jesus. And of course dessert will be birthday cake...for obvious reasons.

From my home to all who read this, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Now I gotta go help PaDad...some assembly required who writes these instructions?

17 posted on 12/25/2003 12:04:30 AM PST by PennsylvaniaMom (Santa, bring me a good tagline for Christmas)
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To: cpforlife.org
**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!**

Beautiful!
18 posted on 12/25/2003 2:21:26 AM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: PennsylvaniaMom
some assembly required who writes these instructions?

My sympathies!

19 posted on 12/25/2003 2:31:58 AM PST by Glenn (What were you thinking, Al?)
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To: cpforlife.org
A Message to Earth
20 posted on 12/25/2003 2:56:12 AM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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