Christmas Traditions Part 3: The Stories

The American Indians, and many other cultures around the world, have always used stories as a way to communicate their history, traditions, and beliefs from one generation to the next. Just as our very own Medicine Man tells stories at our Federation campfires, our family became attached to a story that we tell every year at Christmas.

When our kids were 3-4 years old, I started having a special circle time on Christmas Eve night. Of all the traditions we have tried to build in our family, none means more to me than our circle time. One of the things I do during this circle time is read the following story to my family. I first became acquainted with this story when one of our kids brought it home one day in the form of a decoration they had made at school. It was mounted on red construction paper with a ribbon tied to the top, which the kids proudly used to hang on the door to my den. It has been a part of our Christmas Eve circle time ever since. I hope you will find it as meaningful as we have. (You will see a link to a more colorful, web-based version of this story under Links on the right side of this page)

TEACH THE CHILDREN

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. 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 to the front room and, to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed a 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, as 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 there bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children! Teach them the meaning of Christmas. The meaning that children nowadays have 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 around, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind. All the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts 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 the fulfillment of that promise."

He then reached in 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 displaced 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 eternal nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection.

He then pulled out 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 reached in again and pulled 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 out a gift from the bag and said,
"Teach the children that God so loved the world that He gave His only 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 as the Wise Men."

Santa 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 shepherd's crook. The crook on the shepherd's 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."

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a bell.
"Teach the children that the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should bring man to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return."

Santa looked back at the tree and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Teach the children the true meaning of Christmas, and to not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One That Is, and I bow down and worship Him, our Lord, our God."

I hope that you and your family enjoy your family Christmas Traditions this Christmas Season!!!

Have a Very, Merry and Blessed Christmas!!!!

Yatahey!

Chief Bald Eagle