This past weekend, we took Isaac to Gertens in Inver Grove Heights to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. They also give reindeers rides, but there was a long line, so we opted out of that...maybe next year. After waiting in line for about 40 minutes, Isaac was able to sit and listen to Mrs. Claus read a story. He sat so nicely and listened very attentively...we had to pick him up when it was time to go see Santa...he would have sat there for quite awhile, I think. He didn't seem to mind sitting on Santa's lap...we showed him a picture of him on the computer before we went...I'm sure that helped him to not be scared ;-) Santa told Isaac to be a good boy and to go to bed when his parents told him to.
Even though Santa Claus is a fun tradition, he is far from the real, true meaning of Christmas. This story I found is a bit long...but worth the read...and some cute pictures await you when you're done ;-)
Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. 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 next to the fireplace. "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 Claus, 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 berries represent 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 only begotten Son." Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. 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 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."
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas as you celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May He alone be your peace, your comfort, your joy, your strength, your center, your hope, your Everything...Always!
It seems very hard to believe that 365 days have already passed since our precious, blue-eyed angel came into our lives. It was at this moment that I am writing - 8:43am, that I was lying on the bed in the hospital answering a bunch of questions from the nurse. The only one I remember is "if your heart should stop for any reason today, would you like it to be resuscitated?" Ummm...yes, please! I was reminded at that moment how fragile life is, and what a miracle life is. It's rather unfathomable to think about how life begins. I'm in awe every time I think about Isaac growing inside of me...from a tiny little tadpole to a beautiful baby boy. How his eyes, lips, nose and ears were formed just perfectly. How his brain learns and picks up on things. It is truly amazing. It is incomprehensible to me how someone could see a baby be born, and grow and develop and still not believe that there is a God...for there truly is, and we give Him thanks so many times every day for entrusting us with His child. One of my favorite singer/songwriters, Cherri Keaggy expresses perfectly what is in mine and Brian's hearts..."Lord we thank you for everything you give us, but most importantly, we pray Lord Jesus, make our son a little boy on his knees. We pray that someday he'll become a young man on his knees." That's what it's all about...life...following Jesus. Trusting in Him. Living for Him. Loving Him. Having faith in Him. We pray that Isaac gets that...and believes it. The speed at which this past year went by is a gentle reminder to cherish and hold tight to every moment we have with Isaac. Time really does go way too fast. Our baby is now a toddler...soon to be a preschooler...soon to be school-aged, soon to be an adolescent, and soon to be off to college...making a life of his own...a wife, children, and us...grandparents. The circle of life. We hold tight to these moments and cherish the memories we can hold in our hearts forever. We love you, Isaac...more than we will ever be able to express to you. Happy Birthday, Love!!!
