Just last Monday night I had
a strange visitor. 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
stepping out from behind the Christmas Tree. He placed his fingers
over his lips so I wouldn't cry out.
"What are you doing here..." I started to ask, but
the words choked up in my throat as I saw that he had tears in his
eyes. His usual jolly manner is gone ~ gone was the eager,
boisterous soul we all know. As I stood there in my night shirt
bewildered, Santa said, "Teach The Children." My
perplexed expression still showed in the near darkness.
"Teach them the old meaning of Christmas ~ the meanings
that Christmas nowadays has forgotten." "Teach the
Children, the star was a heavenly sign of promise long ages ago.
God promised a Savior for the world and a sign of the fulfillment
of that promise was the great star of the East. The star now
reminds us of God's love for mankind and of God fulfilling His
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 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 people by the Savior. Christ gave his
life and shed his blood that every man might have God's gift to
all, eternal life. Red is deep, intense, vivid. It is the greatest
color of all. It is the symbol of the gift of God." As Santa
was twisting and pulling another object out of his bag, I heard
the kitchen clock begin to strike twelve. I wanted to say
something, but he went right on.
"Teach the Children", he said as the twisting and
pulling suddenly 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 the big Christmas tree. The deep green of the fir
tree was perfect background for the ornament. Here was the second
color of Christmas.
"The pure color of the 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 ~ symbolic of man's
returning thoughts toward heaven. The great, green tree has been
man's best friend. It has sheltered him, warmed him, made beauty
for him, formed his furniture." Santa's eyes were beginning
to twinkle now as he stood there. Suddenly I heard a soft tinkling
sound. As it grew louder, it seemed like the sound of long ago.
"Teach the Children, that as the lost sheep are found by
sounds of the bell, so should it ring for men 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 faced into the night, Santa drew forth a candle. He
placed it on the mantle and the soft glow from its tiny flame cast
an eerie glow about the darkened room. Odd shapes in the shadow
slowly danced and weaved upon the walls.
"Teach the Children," whispered Santa, "that the
candle shows man's thanks for the star of long ago. It's small
light is the mirror of starlight. At first candles were placed on
the Christmas Tree ~ they were like many glowing stars shining
against the dark green. Safety now has removed the candles from
the tree and the colored lights have taken over in the
remembrance."
Santa turned the small Christmas tree lights on and picked up a
gift from under the tree. He pointed to the large bow ribbon 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 toward each other. Goodwill forever is the message of
the bow."
Now I wondered what else Santa had in his bag. Instead of
reaching in his bag, he slung it over his shoulder and began to
reach up on the Christmas tree. I thought he was hungry as he
reached for a candy cane, purposely 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 fold. The candy cane represents the helping
hand we should show at Christmas time. The candy is the symbol
that we are our brother's keeper."
Santa then paused. He seemed to realize he should be on his
way. Later would be his big day. As he looked about the room, a
feeling of satisfaction showed in his face. He read wonderment in
his eyes and I am sure he sensed my admiration on this night. He
was his old self as he approached the front door. The twinkle in
his eye gave Santa away; I knew he wasn't through yet. He reached
into his bag and brought forth a large holly wreath. He placed it
on the fireplace 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 reminds us all of the
things of Christmas. Please Teach the Children."
I pondered and wondered and thrilled with delight,
As I saw and viewed all those symbols that night.
I dozed as I sat in the soft candle light,
And my thoughts were of Santa and all he made right.
To give and to help, to love and to serve,
Are the best things of life, all men can deserve.
Old Santa Claus that jolly fat little elf,
Is the very best symbol of Christmas itself.
He's the sign of the gift of love and of life,
The ending of evil, the ceasing of strife.
His message to me on the pre-Christmas night,
Has opened a treasure of deepest insight.
The one thing on earth we all ought to do,
Is the teaching of children the right and the true.
