JOSHUA TIME 239

MessageThis is how it happened...I just finished the household choresfor the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard anoise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the frontroom and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behindthe 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 inmy throat, and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jollymanner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we allknow.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 bagfrom behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas.The meaning that nowadays Christmas has forgotten."Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE andplaced it before the mantle. "Teach the children that the puregreen color of the stately fir tree remains green all yearround, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all theneedles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughtsturning toward heaven."He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign ofpromises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, andthe 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 isthe light of the world, and when we see this great light weare reminded of He who displaces the darkness."Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH andplaced it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreathsymbolizes 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 thegenerosity and good will we feel during the month of December."He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF."Teach the children that the holly plant representsimmortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by ourSavior. 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 gaveHIS only begotten SON..." "Thanks be to God for his unspeakablegift."Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the HolyBABE and presented HIM with gold, frankincense and myrrh. Weshould always give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men."Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE andhung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy canerepresents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helpsto bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is thesymbol 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 theglorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang 'Glory toGod in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men."Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag hepulled out a BELL. "Teach the children that as the lost sheepare found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind tothe fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return."Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and Isaw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmasand do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servantof the One that is, and I bow down to worship HIM, our LORD,our GOD."