Wednesday, December 24, 2008

A Special Christmas Story

An Advent Story to share--

Just a month 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 in.

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.

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.

As I stood bewildered, Santa said again, "Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas -- the meaning that nowadays has been forgotten"

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before 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 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."

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes 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, SANTA CLAUS, 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."

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that he gave..."

"Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gif t. 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."

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 staff helps to bring strayed sheep back 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.' "

Suddenly I heard a soft tinkling sound, 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.

Santa looked back and was pleased. I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and don't 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."

May The Christmas Season delight and prepare you for wonderful things.

10 comments:

Kathleen McQueen Wright said...

AMEN!!
Merry Christmas to Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln!!
Love,Kathleen

Anonymous said...

Interesting story. I enjoyed the imagination in the post.

अविनाश said...

Merry Christmas.
Jesus Bless you and yor family.
Regards.

Twisted Fencepost said...

I love this post.
It really puts Christmas into perspective.
To think, Santa worships Jesus also!

Dr. Pragya bajaj said...

happy christmas
God Bless all

Martin Stickland said...

Hello Folks!

A happy crimbo!!

I hope you are both well and you are better Abe.

Got to rush out to the pub for beer now!

Have a great Christmas!

All our love

The Sticklands from little old England

Puja said...

Lovely post
Merry Christmas
Mjoy!!

Pat - Arkansas said...

A sweet story, Mrs. L. Thanks for sharing.

Wishing you and Abe a merry Christmas.

Reader Wil said...

Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year together with Abe and the children.

Dr.Nishi Chauhan said...

merry christmas
May Jesus bless all....
:-)