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Nice....

There are also several different versions to the story I found: http://www.neloo.com/Christmas/Christmas1.html ; http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art13657.asp

I hadn’t heard this one before, thanks for posting it. It would make a great little Christmas skit.

This is a very good story that points to the meaning of Christmas. I am reminded of what CS Lewis says of allegory. We moderns don't understand allegory, nor do we care much for the style of allegory. But as Lewis explains in his Allegory of Love:

By radical allegory I mean a story which can be translated into a literal narration...without confusion, but not without loss... For the function of allegory is not to hide but to reveal, and is properly used only for that which cannot be said, or so well said, in literal speech.

So for children, I think Santa Claus is the best way to introduce the Christian mystery of the birth of God, with the understanding that the creche belongs under the Christmas tree along with the presents.

But I also think that Santa and Christmas trees are specials way to remind adults of the Christian story of Bethlehem. Forget about the creche, the Christian haters are doing their best to make sure even Christmas trees are banished from schools, universities, and other public places. These haters know that the Christmas tree speaks of a greater and deeper truth. And the truth must be eradicated to bring about their socialist utopia.

Yes, let's teach the deeper meaning of Christmas, but let us never do away with the allegories of Christmas. Many times those allegories can speak more eloquently of the Christian mystery than any street-corner preacher.