Teach The Children

Every year at this time we have the privilege, opportunity and responsibility to teach our children the most important life lesson they will ever hear. It is a lesson that can impact their lives and future happiness more than anything else they will ever learn. We must teach them the real meaning of Christmas.

We cannot rely on our schools to do it and we cannot rely on our churches to do it, although there are still many who try. Down through the ages it has always been the Mother's and Father's responsibility to teach their children why we celebrate Christmas. What do the symbols and traditions mean? Just what is important that we celebrate?

We put Pine or Fir trees up in our houses and decorate them but do your children know that the pure green color of this tree remains green all year round. They depict the everlasting hope of mankind. Did you know that during Easter the Pine's tips form new growth in the shape of a cross? All the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven.

We sometimes top our trees with a star --- teach your children that the star was a heavenly sign sent from God, His fulfillment of promises made long ago to His creation. He promised to send His Son Jesus to save the world and each of us because we could not save ourselves.

We light candles to put around the house and in our windows. Teach your children that the candles symbolize that Jesus is the light of the world and reminds us that it is Jesus who brings light and chases away darkness.

We hang wreaths on our trees and doors --- teach the children how the circle of the wreath symbolizes the never ending love Jesus has for all of His children. Like the circle of life, all who know Jesus will never die or know a time they are not loved.

We hang Holly branches over our doors --- teach your children that the Holly plant symbolizes immortality and the crown of thorns worn by our Saviour. That the red Holly berries represent the blood that He shed for us. That it is by His shed blood that the doors of heaven were opened so all who would accept Him by faith could enter and live with God forever.

We put presents under the tree --- teach your children that God gave the greatest present the world has ever received and the wise men from the East brought presents to Jesus to honor Him as the Son of God. They bowed before Him as they presented their gifts, knowing He was God's gift to mankind. Our gifts should always be given in the same spirit as the wise men, to show our love as God showed His.

We give out candy canes and hang them on our trees --- teach your children the candy cane symbolizes the shepherds crook, which represents Jesus as the faithful shepherd who gave His life for His sheep, the red stripe is the blood He shed for His sheep, us His children.

We hang angels on our trees and sometimes put them on the top most branches --- teach your children about the angels God sent to herald the glorious birth of His Son. It was the angels who sang "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will" to the shepherds watching their flocks in the fields.

We often hear bells ringing at Christmas time --- teach your children the bells symbolize the calling of the lost sheep back into the fold. We should remember when we hear the bells that God is calling those who are lost to return to Him. The bells represent guidance and return.

We put up Santa Claus ornaments on our trees and in our yards which represent the generosity and good will we feel during this season. This depicts the real St. Nicolas who gave His life to God and all his wealth to those less fortunate than himself so there would be those who would come to know that God loved them.

Teach your children the greatest gifts are those that bring happiness to others for we are all our brother's keepers and someday we will all give account for the things we do while here on earth.

Your children are the future as we were the future of our parents --- teach them the things of life that will have meaning for their future. Teach them about the one who gave His life for them.

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