There once was an old man who had a loving family. It was Christmas Eve night, and he was sitting alone in his living room, his wife and two children in bed, fast asleep.
The man was sitting there, entranced by the flickering flames in the fireplace. If he had fallen asleep, he had not noticed. With a sudden jerk, he opened his eyes, and was surprised to see Santa Claus standing before him.
However, this was not the Christmas legend who looked so jolly and jaunty. No, the man with the pale white beard appeared sad, a glistening tear sliding down his cheek.
"Santa!" the old man gasped. "Why are you so haggard?"
Santa sighed. "I am downcast because children have not been taught the symbolism of everyday Christmas."
Apparently, the man looked puzzled, for he continued.
Reaching inside his giant toy sack, he pulled out a mini Christmas tree, and placed it on the mantlepiece above the fireplace. He pointed to the pine needles. "See these needles?" Not waiting for a reply, he explained, "Do you notice how they point upwards? They point to Heaven above, to where the Lord is."
Next, he presented a star, meant for the top of the tree. Placing it, he stated softly, "The glowing star represents the shining light in the sky when Jesus was born."
The old man was just sitting there, fascinated by Santa’s teachings. He nodded, showing Santa that he understood.
He then pulled out a candy cane with flourish and placed it next to the Christmas tree. "When you turn it upside down, it becomes a ‘J’, do you see? This represents the Holy name of Jesus. When you turn it back, it is a shepard’s cane, representing Jesus giving up his life for his sheep, or his children."
Santa also extracted a wicker candle. It had not yet been lit. Running his hand over it, Santa muttered words that old man could not hear. Suddenly, it’s flames danced in the firelight. "This represents God’s light shining through a child. Also, see the Christmas lights on the tree? This represents all of God’s children shining for Him."
Next, he pulled out a wreath with a red bow. Placing it on the window, he said softly, "The wreath’s shape, a circle, represents God himself, with no beginning and no end. The bow is red because Jesus shed his blood for us. There is a bow because it represents the bond between God and all his sons and daughters."
Finally, the old man spoke, "But, Santa, what do you represent?"
Santa broke into a wide smile that erased his tears. “I? I represent the love between families. I represent the gift-giving of parents and children. I represent the hope of Christmas.
"Teach your children the things I have taught you. And they will believe in me for eternity. And maybe they will even teach their children."
As Santa made to go, the old man blurted, “Wait!”
Santa stopped, and turned.
"Is this real, or is it inside my head?"
Santa considered this question for a few seconds. Finally, he answered, "Well, of course this is inside your head, but why would that mean that it is not real?" And Santa disappeared, leaving the old man to sleep until morning.
When the old man woke, the pink and gold sunset shone through the window. He noticed the Christmas decorations were still where Santa had left them.
His children came bursting in, still dressed in their pajamas, their faces putting the sunset to shame.
The old man did as Santa commanded, and taught his children the true meaning of Christmas. They believed every word, and taught their children, just like Santa predicted they would.
The man did not live to see his grandchildren grow up, but knew his Christmas story would pass down for generations to come.
The End
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