Closed

[Matts Secret]

SECRET SANTA (Tate202)

TEACH THE CHILDREN

With all the glitter and sparkle that bring in the yuletide season, it is easy for one to think that Christmas has become too commercialized; that the true meaning of Christmas has been forgotten or buried amidst the tinsel, ribbon and lights.

Throughout the ages, people have been fascinated with symbolism - choosing an object to remind them of a special event or teaching. The Old Testament is full of symbolic teachings. Christ used familiar symbols to teach His gospel in the New Testament. Even today, symbols are used. A ring on the third left finger, for example, means that someone is getting married.

Could it be possible, then, that all this paraphernalia that we see so much of today during the Christmas holiday, might represent a Christmas of the past, symbols of the first Christmas?

Share the following story with your family. If possible, make the following items from scraps. As each item is discussed, place it on your tree. Afterwards, put them in a special place where all can see them and be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.

Items needed: Shiny Star, Red-Ornament, Candle, Green-Tree, Present With Bow, Candy-Cane, Santa Claus, Bell, Wreath.

The story is called "Teach the Children", It's original title is "The Sixth Word."


Just a week before Christmas I had a 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 stepped out from behind the Christmas Tree. He placed his fingers over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?" I started to say, but the words choked up in my throat as I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usually jolly manner was gone . . . gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all knew.

He then answered me with the simple statement of "Teach the Children." I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my questions and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood there bewildered, Santa said again, "Teach the Children - Teach them the old meaning of Christmas; the meaning that Christmas nowdays has forgotten.

I started to say, "How can I", . . . when Santa reached into the toy bag and pulled out a brilliant shiny star. "Teach the Children that the star was the Heavenly sign of promise long ago. God promised a Savior for the world and the star was a sign of the fulfillment of that 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 from the bag a glittering red Christmas tree ornament. "Teach the Children that 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 the people by the Savior. Christ gave His life and shed His blood that every man might have God's gift of Eternal Life. Red is deep, intense, vivid; it is the greatest color of all. It is the symbol of the gift of God."

"Teach the Children", he continued as he dislodged a small Christmas tree from the depths of his toy bag. He placed it before the mantle and hung the red ornament upon it. The deep green of the fir tree was a perfect background for the ornament. Here was the second color of Christmas.

"The pure green 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; symbols of man's thought returning towards Heaven. The green tree has been man's best friend. It has sheltered him, warmed him, made beauty for him.

Suddenly, I heard a soft, ringing sound. "Teach the Children, that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring for man 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 sounds of the bell faded into the night, Santa drew forth a candle. He placed it on the mantle, and the soft glow from it's tiny flame cast a glow about the darkened room. "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 trees. They were like many glowing stars shining against the dark tree. The colored lights have now taken over their rememberance."

Santa turned the small tree lights on and picked up a gift. He pointed to the large bow and said, "Teach the Children that a bow is placed on a gift to remind us of the brotherhood of man. We should remember that the bow is tied as man should be tied, all of us together, with bonds of good will toward each other. Good will is the message of the bow."

Santa slung his bag over his shoulder and reached for a candy cane, unfastened it, and held it out towards me. "Teach the Children" that the candy cane represents the Shepherd's crook. The crook on the staff helps bring back the strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane represents the helping hand we should show at Christmas time. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."

As Santa looked about the room, a feeling of satisfaction shone in his face. He read wonderment in my eyes, and I am sure he sensed my admirations for this night.

He reached into his bag and brought forth a large wreath. He placed it on the door and said, "Please. Teach the Children that the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love; it never ceases, stops or ends. It is made of many things, and in many colors. It should remind us of all the things of Christmas."


"Please, Teach the Children."
I pondered and wondered and thrilled with delight,

As I sat and received all these symbols at night.

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 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 this 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.

Your Secret Santa