A Sitdown with St. Nick

As I was deciding what to write regarding the Christmas Season, I began to think about what St. Nicholas would have thought if he were alive today.  I am sure you are all aware St. Nicholas was a real individual that gave to the poor during the Christmas holiday season.  This is how I think the conversation would go if I were to meet St. Nicholas today.

“St. Nicholas, what’s wrong”?  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 THIS GENERATION”!  I was puzzled.  What did he mean?  He anticipated my question and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind him.  As I stood bewildered, St. Nicholas said again, “Teach this Generation”!

“Teach them the real meaning of Christmas- the meaning that our society and culture has forgotten.”  St. Nicholas then reached into his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it in my home. “Teach this generation that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of humankind that is found in Jesus Christ.  All the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of human beings’ thoughts turning toward heaven.”

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. “Teach this Generation 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 this Generation 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 my front door. “Teach this Generation that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love.  Real love never ceases.  Love is one continuous round of affection.”

He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. “Teach this Generation that the holly plant represents immortality.  It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior Jesus Christ.  The red holly berries represent the blood shed by Him for us so they we could enjoy eternal life.”

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, “Teach this Generation that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. Thanks be to God for his gracious gift to us.”

St. Nicholas then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and handed it to me.  “Teach this Generation that the candy cane represents the salvation message of Jesus Christ.  The Candy Cane incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry and death of Jesus Christ.  The stick was made of pure white hard candy.  The white was to symbolize the Virgin Birth and sinless nature of Jesus.  The hardness of the candy was used to symbolize the Solid Rock, the Foundation of the Church and firmness of the promises of God.  The candy was made in the form of a “J” to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior.  It also represents the staff of the “Good Shepherd” with which he reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs- who like all sheep, have gone astray.  Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, it was stained with red stripes.  Three small stripes to show the flogging Jesus received by which we are healed.  The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ at the cross so we could have the promise of eternal life.”

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL.  “Teach this Generation 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 this Generation that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring humankind to the fold.  The bell symbolizes guidance and return.”

St. Nicholas then looked back at me as I listened and was pleased.  As he looked back at me, I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes.  He said, “Remember, teach this Generation 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."

Read about the true meaning of Christmas and the best gift of all HERE.