President Hinckley said, "And so at this Christmas season, we sing His praises and speak our words of faith and gratitude and love. it is His influence in our lives that stirs within us more kindness, more respect, more love, more concern. it is because of Him and His teachings that we reach out to those in trouble, distress, and need wherever they may be. it is proper during this season when we commemorate His birth that we remember the Lord Jesus Christ in reverence and with love. he has done for us what we could not do for ourselves. he has brought meaning to our mortal existence. he has given us the gift of eternal life."
I found a story that helps tell the true meaning of Christmas, its called:
TEACH THE CHILDREN
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 from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry.
“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 character we all know.
He then answered me with a simple statement: “TEACH THE CHILDREN!”
I was puzzled; what did he mean? He guessed my question, and with one quick movement pulled a miniature toy bag from behind the tree.
As I stood puzzled, 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 in front of the fire place.
“Teach the Children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, representing eternal life, 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 light we are reminded of Jesus who fills sour lives with light.”
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, like Gods love which has no beginning or end.”
He then pulled from his bag an ornament of HIMSELF.
“Teach the Children that I, Santa Clause symbolize the generosity and kindness we feel during the month of December and to our Heavenly Father for the perfect gift that He gave to the world.”
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 represents the bloodshed by Him.”
Next he puled from his bag a GIFT and said,
“Teach the Children that God so loved the world that HE gave his only SON...We thank God for his very special gift.”
“Teach the Children that the wise men bowed before the Holy Baby and gave HIM gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. We should always give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men.”
Santa then reached into 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 staff helps to bring back lost sheep to the flock.”
He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL.
“Teach the Children that it was the angels that announced 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 tinkling 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 to guide us to God. The bell symbolizes guidance and return. It reminds us that we are all precious in the eyes of God.”
Santa looked back and was pleased. I saw the winkle in his eyes as 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, and our GOD.”
“Christmas celebrations need not be competitions to see who can give or receive the most expensive present. Our most valuable gift is our love --- love for the Christ child, who was born 2,000 years ago in a humble manger; love for our families and our neighbors; love for the beautiful world Heavenly Father has given us. We celebrate Christmas best when we live the Savior's teachings---not just at Christmas but every day of the year.” Sister Merlos
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