True Meaning of Christmas!

Below is a story about the True Meaning of Christmas... I enjoyed her website so much that I used her explanation with our pictures... I hope you enjoy!  Merry Christmas!

"Teach the CHILDREN"

Santa told me...

Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has 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."

This was the "infamous" Harless Christmas Tree... 13 feet tall and a MONSTER to decorate!  For Wesley and York it was love at first sight when we spotted it on the Christmas tree lot.  I felt that as beautiful as it was it looked like a pain to set up, decorate, take down, and keep watered!!  I was right... but so was Wes!  We couldn't have found a more perfect tree.

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."

This was a gorgeous New Year firework I was able to capture on film... It reminded me of  a star.  Wesley put on an amazing show for us and our new neighbors -the Hendersons!!!

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."

York and Turner blowing out their birthday candles.

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."

Our annual Bass Pro Shops Santa picture... York thinks the Bass Pro Shop is the North Pole by the way -I'm going with it!

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 berries represent 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 his begotten son." Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

York was such a wonderful elf this Christmas... He learned valuable lessons in sharing and helped his brother open ALL of his gifts.  This was such a special time!

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 shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep 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."

my 2 angels

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling 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.

Obviously this isn't a BELL picture but the was BOTH boys favorite gift...

 

Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not 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."