The 24 Days of Christmas Spirit

Today's word is,

Knowledge

Today's Scripture is,

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of god, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

James 1:5

Today's Song is,

“The First Noel”

Today's recommended activity is,

Make ornaments out of paper, cookies, or other materials and hang them on the Christmas Tree.

Day 1

Teach the Children

It was three weeks before Christmas and Kamille was rushing home from what she hoped would be the last shopping trip for Christmas presents this year. It was late and she was tired. She usually loved the time she had alone shopping for her family’s gifts. While her husband would get the kids into bed, it would give her a few minutes of peace from the craziness this time of year brought out in them. She was recounting the frustrating situation where in her opinion, silly people were arguing and fighting over the next best toy at the big box store. The whole frustrating encounter did nothing to relax her or change her mood. She did not know why but she just was not really feeling the Christmas Spirit that came during this wonderful time of the year. In fact, she had not even started to decorate the house yet.

Kamille finished hiding the toys she had just purchased until she could wrap them later. Then she cleaned up the toys left on the floor in the living room from the chaos of the kid’s playtime earlier that day. She started for the stairs and bed when suddenly she heard a noise behind her. As she spun around to face the fireplace, she was startled into silence at who she saw standing there. Santa Clause himself stood there dusting some soot from the sleeve of his jacket. He looked towards her and placed a finger to his mouth to stop her from calling out.

“What are ….?” She started to ask in a hushed whisper, but the rest of the words were choked off as she saw that he had tears instead of the usual twinkle in his eyes and an unfamiliar sadness on his face. Gone was his normal jolly demeaner. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul, we all know. What could make Santa Clause the picture of happiness and wonder, look so saddened? Before she could ask the questions forming in her mind he spoke.

“Teach the Children.”

Kamille was stunned and puzzled. What did he mean, teach the children? As if Santa had anticipated the question, he brought forth his beautiful red velvet bag. That magical bag that he carried all the gifts for the people of the world in. As Kamille stood there bewildered and shocked, Santa again repeated his plea.

“Teach the Children. Teach them the true meaning of Christmas. The meaning that people have forgotten. The meaning that all the hustle and bustle pushes out of our minds.” Santa said, as Kamille watched him miraculously pull, the most beautiful 7-foot-tall Douglas Fir tree, from within the depth of his bag. He arranged the exquisite tree next to the fireplace.

“Teach the children that green is the first color of Christmas. The pure green color of the majestic fir tree is never changing as it stays green year-round. Thus, it depicts the everlasting hope of mankind. Green is the most youthful of colors as it symbolizes life and hopefulness throughout nature. All the needles of a fir tree point heavenward which is a symbol of how man’s mind and hearts should be directed upwards to heaven. It reminds us how mankind should be living their life in a way that they may return to live with their Heavenly father someday. The great green tree has been mankind’s friend, as it has sheltered him, warmed him, and given him joy and beauty.” Kamille’ s eyes were alight with wonder as Santa pulled a brilliant shining star from his red velvet bag.

“Teach the children of the heavenly sign sent by God to proclaim the birth of the Christ child who would be the Savior of the world. That heavenly sign, that had been promised from long ago, would be a new star appearing in the heavens. The star would shine above the Christ child’s birthplace known as Bethlehem and mark the fulfillment of God’s promise. The Star shining in the night sky would guide those who sought the Savior and King of Kings, as they traveled to worship and honor him.” Santa continued as he then placed the brilliant shining star on top of the fir tree saying, “We place the shining star on top of the Christmas tree to remember those that sought the Christ child long ago. It is a symbol in our homes of our personal search for the Savior in our lives today.” Kamille stared in silence at where he placed the shining star on the top of the tree allowing his words to soak into her heart as the light from the star shined on her face.