Merry Christmas 2005




 From our house to yours!









    Our new home in Knoxville,Tn


Santa's Christmas Wish
 
It's Christmas Eve once again,
And the world awaits Santa's return,
But as children sleep with happy faces,
Santa's face is full of concern.
 
For he knows that many believe in him,
Even though they see him not;
Yet they don't believe in the unseen God,
Nor the Son that He begot.
 
They accept the many gifts from Santa,
As an expression of his love;
But they won't accept The Greatest Gift,
From the loving God above.
 
The gift of eternal salvation,
Was offered on Christmas Day -
Through the birth of Baby Jesus,
Who is still rejected today!
 
"How sad it is," thought Santa,
As he climbed into his sleigh.
And with tears staining his cheeks,
Santa bowed his head to pray.
 
"Lord Jesus, 'tis not for my glory,
That I return each Christmas Eve.
But to show men, women, and children,
That they don't need to see to believe.
 
"And if they can accept my gifts,
Even though they're undeserving -
I pray they'll learn to accept Your Gift,
Through a clearer understanding.
 
"And Lord, If I could have a Christmas wish,
I would ask for it to be --
That on each and every Christmas Eve,
The world would look for Thee, not me!"
 
~Author Unknown ~



   







TEACH US ALL
 
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 out from behind the 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 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 from behind the tree.

As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children! 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."

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 Clause, 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 HIS begotten SON..."  "Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.  "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 shepherds' crook.  The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the
Your Text Here
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 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."

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"