Daily Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M

Rectory Office Father John Reiker

Pastor ext. 102 johnreiker01@gmail.com

Deacon Richard L. Stevens

rlsteve@sbcglobal.net

Deacon Jim G’Sell james.r.gsell@gmail.com

314-484-2055

Mrs. Rusalyne Ahlemeyer Business Manager, ext. 104

rusalynesahr@att.net

Mrs. Jackie Dostal Secretary, ext. 100 jackiesahr@att.net

Cafeteria Ext. 212

For submissions to our facebook page, the website, or our parish app please email Mike at mike63051@yahoo.com. Please allow several days for submission to be approved and posted. Thank You

Religious Instruction Parish School of Religion

Phone (636) 677-4868 ext 118 Grades (pre-K through 8)

Mrs. Kathy Joslin mrskathyjoslin@yahoo.com

Adults - RCIA Please contact:

The Rectory Office 636-677-4868 ext. 100

Sacramental Preparation Baptism Preparation Meeting: Infant Baptisms require parental attendance at a meeting prior to baptism. Meetings will be held with the Pastor in the rectory. Call rectory office for information 636-677-4868, ext. 100. Baptisms: After 10:15 AM Mass on a Sunday of mutual arrangement. Call rectory office to schedule 636-677-4868, ext. 100.

Bulletin Deadline Monday 9:00 a.m. the week you need it to be published in the bulletin. Notices must be submitted in writing: email text to jackiesahr@att.net.

Marriages: Make arrangements with Priest or Deacon of your choice no less than six months prior to proposed wedding date.

Parish Help Line: St. Vincent de Paul Society, 1-877-238-3228, ext. 3329

New Parishioners: Welcome! Please register by contacting the rectory during business hours @ 677-4868 ext. 100

Change of Address or Telephone: Please call the rectory during business hours. 677-4868 ext. 100

Archdiocese of St .Louis Website: www.archstl.org

Catholic Elementary School: All of our parish children who wish to attend a catholic elementary school may do so at the school of their choice and still remain parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua. Call rectory for details.

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Year C December 23, 2018

Mass Schedule

Confessions Saturday 4:20-4:50 P.M.

By appointment anytime

Holy Days 8:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M.

RECTORY CLOSED ON ALL HOLY DAYS

Sunday Saturday 5:00 P.M.

Sunday 8:30 A.M., 10:15 A.M.

St. Anthony of Padua 3009 High Ridge Blvd. High Ridge, MO 63049

Business Hours Monday - Friday

7:30 A.M. - 2:30 P.M. Phone (636) 677-4868

Fax (636) 677-2781 Website www.stanthonyhr.org

Pastor Father John Reiker

Parish Mission Statement Our mission is to be on fire with the love of Jesus Christ,

and with the help of the Holy Spirit, to celebrate our community of faith in the Eucharist

and to share God’s love and mercy with our neighbors through our ministries and evangelization.

St. Anthony of Padua, High Ridge, MO

May Your Christmas Be Filled With Jesus and His Love

Our whole Parish Staff and Family send our prayers and love and gratitude to you this Christmas.

“May Jesus continue to shine His face through all our St. Anthony Sisters and Brothers!”

Why Do We Love Christ-Mass?

We all do so much every year to celebrate Christmas. Why? We never tire of the same songs and rituals each year. Why? We actually are changed people at Christmas time. Why? What is going on here? JESUS—God loving each of us so much that God sent His only Son to save us, not to con-demn us. God becoming one with our humanity! So, we are seeing and touching God in the ChristMass and then in each other! We are receiving and giving God’s Love with our hearts, words and gifts! Jesus in us now is changing us—making us one with God and more generous and caring of all of God’s children!

I thank You and love You, Jesus, for saving my life— where and who would I be without you? You give me FAITH—friendship with You. You give me HOPE— trust in You when things get difficult. You give me LOVE—in each awesome person whom I’ve come to know because of You and Your Church Family. Because of You, Jesus, everyone is now my sister and brother, as we all help each other grow into Your likeness.

We really need you to be a GREETER at our Christmas Masses. Just come 1/2 hour early and give a “warm” smile and welcome and a Merry Christmas to all as they enter our doors. Thanks!

Thanks for Joining Us! Welcome Home to your Family of Faith!

Whether you’ve been away from the Church for 1, 5, 10, 15, or even 30 years, our parish family is delighted to welcome you home to our Catholic Church Family. We invite you to visit the Catholics Come Home website: catholicscomehome.org.

Not Catholic? Have Questions? Exploring the Catholic Church for the First Time?

Our parish family warmly welcomes you! We offer inquiry sessions for those who are exploring Catholicism. These sessions provide an opportunity for you to come “as you are” to a friendly, welcoming, non-pressuring atmosphere to learn more about the Catholic Faith, even if you don’t think you’ll want to actually become a Catholic. If you desire to take steps towards becoming Catholic, you will have the option to do so, on your own initiative. Please email Father John if you have any questions.

Prayer for Christmas

Heavenly Father, We celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. As we reflect on the journey of the Holy Family into Bethlehem, help us throw open the doors of our heart to those seeking refuge. Grant your peace to these families and ours. For all of your gifts, we give you thanks. Amen.

Spread the Gospel, the Good News about Jesus and His St. Anthony Family and Merry Christmas! A Holy Community through Holy Communion! Your brother in Jesus,

Pastor’s Column

December 23, 2018

Fourth Week of Advent Wreath Prayer

The Lord is our Hope and our life. (all four candles are lit) Let us pray: that the newborn Savior will bring us His love which lasts forever. (pause for silent prayer) Lord, the shepherds will visit You on

the night of Your birth, yet You are the greatest Shepherd of all. You entered our world as an infant just like we do, and You shared in our Light so we can share in Your glory. We will kneel before Your manger in humility and awe. Make us wor-thy to rejoice in Your presence among us. Amen

Blessing Prayers at the

Christmas Manger

Each prayer is said as the figure it names is placed in the manger scene; Baby Jesus is placed with the final prayer. Let us hold Him in our hearts, as did Mary His mother. Come, Emmanuel! Let us care for His children in the world as Saint Joseph cared for Him. Come, Emmanuel! Let us sing joyfully of His glory, as did the angels in Bethlehem. Come, Emmanuel! May we kneel to adore Him, as did the lowly shepherds. Come, Emmanuel! Come, O Child Jesus, God’s Word in our human flesh, through the power of the Holy Spirit, God among us, for-ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer Before Gift Opening

The gifts are here, Lord Jesus Christ. We are here as well. As, we know, are You. For You come, You have prom-ised, whenever we gather in Your name (as we do now). We thank You for these gifts. We thank You for each other. But most of all, O Jesus Christ, we thank You for your nearness here. It is the Christmas gift that all Christ-mases celebrate. It is a gift that will surely last forever. Thank You! Amen.

Prayer After Gift Opening

The gifts are open, Lord Jesus Christ. Soon our cele-bration will be over. Even so, You are still here. Be near us, Lord Jesus; we ask You to stay close by us forever and love us, we pray. Bless all Your dear children with Your tender care and fit us for heaven to live with You there. We are forever Yours. Amen.

Joke of the Week

A 4-year-old boy was asked to give the meal bless-ing before Christmas dinner. The family members bowed their heads in expectation. He began his prayer, thanking God for all his friends, naming them one by one. Then he thanked God for Mommy, Daddy, brother, sister, Grandma, Grandpa, and all his aunts and uncles. Then he began to thank God for the food. He gave thanks for the turkey, the dressing, the fruit salad, the cranberry sauce, the pies, the cakes, even the Cool Whip. Then he paused, and everyone waited--and waited. After a long silence, the young fellow looked up at his mother and asked, "If I thank God for the broccoli, won't he know that I'm lying?"

Saint of the Week Bartolome de Las Casas

“Defender of the Indians” (1484-1566) Bartolome de Las Casas was the most distin-guished of a number of Dominican friars who raised their voices against the rapacious violence inflicted on the indigenous peoples of the Americas. Serving originally as a chaplain in the Spanish conquest of Cuba (while also benefiting as the owner of a plan-tation), in 1514 he underwent a dramatic conver-sion. After witnessing the genocidal cruelty inflicted on the Indians, he joined the Dominican Order and became a passionate and prophetic defender of their interests. For more than fifty years he traveled back and forth between the New World and the court of Spain, attempting to expose the cruelties of the Conquest, whose very legitimacy, and not merely excesses, he disavowed. Las Casas opposed the notion that the Gospel could be spread through slaughter or compulsion of any kind. While others claimed the Indians were a lesser race, he affirmed their full humanity and enti-tlement to human rights. But he went further. Identi-fying the Indians with the poor in the Gospel sense, he argued that in their sufferings they represented the crucified Christ. In 1544 he was named bishop of Chiapas in southern Mexico, but he eventually resigned his bishopric and returned to Spain, the better, he hoped, to promote the cause of social justice. He died on July 18, 1566, at the age iof eighty-two. “Christ did not come into the world to die for gold.” —Bartolome de Las Casas

Pastor’s Column, continued

St. Anthony of Padua, High Ridge, MO

Spread the Gospel, the Good News about Jesus and His St. Anthony Family. A HOLY COMMUNITY THROUGH HOLY COMMUNION! Your brother in Jesus,

Christmas Eve - Candlelight Masses

4:00 PM & 12 Midnight (Music one half hour before 4:00 & midnight

Masses)

Christmas morning 8:30 AM &

10:15 AM

CHRISTMAS

The grace which was revealed in our world is Jesus. He has entered our history; He has shared our journey. He came to free us from darkness and to grant us light. In Him was revealed the grace, the mercy, and the tender love of the Father. —Pope Francis He was created of a mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that He formed. He cried in the manger In wordless infancy, He the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute. —St. Augustine of Hippo We consider Christmas as the encounter, the great encounter, the historical encounter, the decisive encounter, between God and mankind. He who has faith knows this truly; let him rejoice. —Pope Paul VI

Share Your Blessings

and God’s Love through St. Anthony’s Church Family

In the Future

CHARITABLE IRA GIFTS Those 70 and one half and older can transfer up to $100,000 per year while supporting our mission work and enjoy significant tax savings. Consider making St. Anthony’s the beneficiary of a retirement plan for a future gift. GIFTS OF ANNUITIES Give now and create a source of income for the re-mainder of your life or the life of a loved one. De-ferred gift annuities provide future income. GIFTS OF SECURITIES Make a difference in the lives of the poor with a gift of securities. Receive a fixed income by donating appreciated securities to fund a charitable gift annu-ity. LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY in Your Will A Will ensures that your loved ones are provided for in the future. Including St. Anthony’s in your will se-cures your commitment to helping the poor and sharing God’s love continues around the world. Please contact our office or Fr. John or our website.

December 23, 2018

8 Reasons To Bring Your Child

To Mass Children learn to value what their parents and extended family value. And they learn not so much by what we say as what we do. Make regular participation at Mass together a funda-mental priority. Taking our children to Mass will: ✞ Reveal their true identity as beloved children of God. In a fast-changing world, chil-

dren need to know that they are valued and they are loved. ✞ Shape their values. People take on the values of those they associate with. Join to-

gether with the people who strive to follow Jesus’ way. ✞ Connect them with many generations. Mass unites people of all ages. ✞ Populate their imaginations with stories of faith. Expose your child to the stories that

lead to abundant life. ✞ Fill their hearts with songs that shape their souls. Music has impact. The songs we

sing at Mass help us see how God is active in our lives. ✞ Nourish their inner life. Attend to your whole child, don’t neglect his/her spiritual self.

Worship brings our spiritual selves to life. ✞ Feed them on the journey. Our children will face many challenges in their lives. Jesus

offers His very self to them to strengthen, encourage, and free them no matter what comes.

✞ Help them find their true home. God longs for the whole family to gather around the

table. In the Eucharist, we realize that we are all one.

Welcome To all our Guests, Fr. John Reiker, Deacon Dick Stevens and Deacon Jim G’Sell and All your sisters and brothers at St. Anthony’s Parish Family wel-come you and hope that your time with us may be a moment of spiritual experience. You are always welcome here and if you would like to become a member of this parish or are thinking to become a Catholic, contact the Rectory of-fice. Our phone is 636-677-4868 ext. 100.

Donna Schumann Margie Krupinski

Donald Moore Bob Townsend

James Cooseman Erwin Nickels

Connie Struckhoff George T. Ruzicka

Marjorie Korn Freeman Fouts

Mary Fouts Julie Marlinghaus Mary Ellen Miller Shirley Caggiano

Gerri Barbeau Carol Bardon Rick Byerly

Jim Kreienkamp Brad Hook

Ryan Heard John McCarthy

Lainey Bartleson Betty Street

Deacon Bill Casseau

Tim Lohman Rosalie Cooseman

Bob Kilper Brycen Kalesh– McMunn

Matthew Carley Earl Challans Tom Conboy

Mason Lohman Sue Barton Kathy Ryals

Joe Hunt Terry Hunt Adam Petry Bob Hook

Nancy Kalkbrenner Dean Stegmann Robert Beougher Richard Siebert

Judy Brouk Marcus Utama Clara Gansner Janet Parker

Justin Schnieders

Please Pray for the Sick

Names of the sick will remain on the list above for a month. You may contact the office to have a name added to the list for an additional month at a time. New additions will appear at the top of the list as they are received.

NOTE: Due to privacy laws, hospitals no longer no-tify us when parishioners are patients. If you wish a visit from the parish staff please notify the office. Thank you.

This Week with our St. Anthony Parish Family

Monday, December 24 Late Advent Weekday 4:00 PM Dan Lohman 12 Midnight Beverly Pfleegor Tuesday, December 25 The Nativity of the Lord 8:30 AM Parishioners of St. Anthony 10:15 AM Mel Hoffmann Wednesday, December 26 St. Stephen 8:00 A.M. Debbie Finder Thursday, December 27 St. John 8:00 A.M. Woody Johnson Friday, December 28 The Holy Innocents 8:00 A.M. Gerald Mahoney Saturday, December 29 St. Thomas Becket 5:00 P.M. Anna Oswald Sunday, December 30 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph 8:30 A.M. Parishioners of St. Anthony 10:15 A.M. Living & Dec’d Members of Knights of Columbus Council 8588

Mass Intentions

Readings for the Week

St. Anthony of Padua, High Ridge, MO

Monday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Lk 1:67-79 Tuesday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] Night: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3, 11-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Wednesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Thursday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Friday: 1 Jn 1:5 -- 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7b-8; Mt 2:13-18 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:22-35 Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28; Ps 128:1-5 or Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10; Col 3:12-21 [12-17] or 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24; Lk 2:41-52

December 23, 2018 - December 30, 2018

SUNDAY - December 23 Children’s Liturgy of the Word 10:15 Mass MONDAY - December 24 CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT MASSES 4:00 PM & MIDNIGHT WITH MUSIC ONE HALF HOUR BEFORE MASSES TUESDAY - December 25 CHRISTMAS DAY MASSES 8:30 AM & 10:15 AM WEDNESDAY - December 26 RECTORY OFFICE CLOSED THURSDAY - December 27 FRIDAY - December 28 Clean Church after 8:00 AM Mass SATURDAY - December 29 Holy Family - Special Blessing of all Families SUNDAY - December 30 Holy Family - Special Blessing of all Families Children’s Liturgy of the Word 10:15 Mass

Activities This Week

Upcoming Events January 1, 2019 Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God ; Holy Day of Obligation January 4 First Friday Eucharistic Adoration January 5 First Saturday Prayer Breakfast

December 23, 2018

ATTENTION ALL SERVERS!

Whether or not you are serving the Mass you are attending on Christmas Eve or Christmas, you are invited to join in the entrance procession for Mass.

Knights of Columbus Sunday Mass

12-30-18

All Knights of Columbus are welcome to all attend the 10:15 AM Mass together on December 30,

2018.

White House Retreat

All men of the parish are invited to join us on our annual retreat at White House. This will be a silent, guided retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. It’s a peaceful break from the chaos and confusion of everyday life. It’s like a 3 day vacation with Christ on their beautiful 80—acre campus high on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. All meals and private lodging are provided. Our retreat begins the evening of Thursday, February 28, 2019 and concludes Sunday, March 3, 2019 at 2:00 PM. There is no set fee to attend a retreat at White House! White House operates on a free will offering basis, asking those in attendance to simply give what they feel they can at the conclusion of the re-treat. To register call: Bob Hook 636-677-2262 or Matt Frank 636-677-0552 or visit www.whretreat.org to find additional dates. PLEASE RSVP BY JANUARY 28, 2019.

Giving Tree Thank You!

Many, many thanks to all our generous parishioners for the gifts for the Giving Tree. Your generosity made this Christmas season a hap-pier one for many families.

May God bless you all!

PLEASE NOTE:

Upcoming Bulletin EARLY Deadlines Submissions for the December 30, 2018 bulletin and the January 6, 2019 bulletin were due in to the office December 17th. This request was made due to early publishing deadlines with the bulletin publishing company.

Thanks for your attention to this matter.

As we prepare a new schedule for the minis-tries, we ask that you inform us of any dates you are unable to serve for the months of Feb-ruary, March, and April 2019. Please contact Jackie at jackiesahr@att.net or phone the rec-tory at 636-677-4868 ext. 100.

Deadline is Thursday, December 27, 2018 at 9:00 AM.

St. Anthony of Padua, High Ridge, MO

Calendars/Schedules 2019

Attention Please:

To ALL groups and organizations of the Parish, please submit your calendar of events and meet-ings ASAP. Please indicate meeting/event times, dates, and day of the week. Even if you are following the same times and days of the month/week from the previous year, please forward all information. We want and need to be as current as possible.

This information is necessary to maintain a

functional calendar.

Please email: jackiesahr@att.net or by mail at:

St. Anthony of Padua 3009 High Ridge Blvd.

High Ridge, MO 63049 Attn: Jackie

O COME, LONG FORETOLD O come, Desired of nations, Whom priest and prophet long foretold Will break the captive fetters, Redeem the long-lost fold. Dear Savior, haste; come, come to earth, Dispel the night and show your face, And bid us hail the dawn of grace. --Simon J. Pellegrin (1663-1745), Tr. by Mary of St. Philip (1825-1904)

First Saturday Prayer Breakfast January 5, 2019

The new year is almost here, and we hope you will begin it by joining your fellow parishioners at our prayer breakfast on Jan. 5th, at 9am, in the cafete-ria. The Parish Council will be hosting, so it will be a great opportunity to meet our council members, and enjoy a hot breakfast from IHOP. We look for-ward to seeing all you. Love in Christ, Parish Council

The STAY high school youth group is now meeting weekly. Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM for social time and meeting starts at 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. To receive our emails, please send your name and e-mail address to Rachel at beautifulmountain96@gmail.com to be added to the list.

Follow us on Facebook Saint Anthony of Padua

High Ridge

Jonah Prayer Ministry

Our Parish’s Jonah Prayer Ministers have a prayer box mounted on the inner wall of the vesti-

bule. You will find it on the right-hand side (near the candle stand) as you enter church. This box is for written prayer requests. All petitions are kept

confidential by your Jonah Prayer Ministers.

A SILENT CHRISTMAS? Christmas was coming But what would it bring? A church filled with people With no one to sing? What of the Carols So sweet and so mild That tell of the birth Of the Heavenly Child? Will there be Tuesdays Where Nancy’s surprised To see new choir members Before tired eyes? O come ye, on Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. is fine. Help us make Midnight Mass A Holy Night, Divine! Please join us on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. for prac-tice. If you wish to join us on Sundays, as well as Mid-night Mass and Christmas morning, we will begin practice for those at 6:45. We will be going over Christmas music choices after Mass practice on Nov. 6th. Nancy Struckhoff Choir Director (636 253-6115) Tuesday - Choir 6:45 PM for Sunday Masses Christmas practices to begin immediately after (approx. 7:10) Adults and children (12 and older) welcome Thanks, Nancy Struckhoff

December 23, 2018

2019 Church Calendars

Church calendars are available in the vestibule. Please do thank our calendar sponsor,

Fielder Electrical Services for their kind donation to the Parish.

Thank you!

We clean Church every Friday after the 8:00 AM Mass. Our Heavenly Dusters are in need of help! If you can offer any time, it would be deeply appreciated. Thank you!

We would like to thank

Bieg Plumbing Company for advertising in our parish bulletin. Because of their generosity we do not pay for our bulletins to be printed. Please patronize our advertisers and thank them for supporting our parish.

St. Anthony PSR News For information contact Kathy Joslin at mrskathyjos-lin@yahoo.com or call 636-677-4868 ext. 118 or 636-677-1567. December 23 – Fourth Sunday of Advent No classes – Christmas Holiday December 30 No classes – Christmas Holiday “‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,’ which means ‘God is with us.’” Mat-thew 1:23

For more information, please visit our website: www.stanthonyhr.org

Collections for December 2018: Weekly Contributions (general fund)

Building Fund Christmas Flowers

Immaculate Conception Seminary Christmas

Parish Financial Report

Thank You for Your Gifts to God & Your Parish Family

God bless you for your generous contributions.

We all appreciate your sacrifices and love of our St. Anthony Family!

St. Anthony of Padua, High Ridge, MO

IRA Charitable Rollover

Did you know if you are age 70.5 or older, you can distribute up to $100,000 tax-free each year from your IRA account to benefit St. Anthony of Padua? For details on contributing to St. Anthony of Padua with an IRA Charitable Rollover, please contact the planned giving experts at the Roman Catholic Foun-dation. 314.918.2893 | giftplanning@rcfstl.org

Due to early submission and pub-lishing deadlines for this issue of the bulletin, there are NO collection figures to report.

Ministry Schedule

Christmas Blessings

from the Seminarians at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary. Please support our seminarians with a gift to the Seminary Christmas Collection December 24/25.

December 23, 2018

St. Anthony of Padua, High Ridge, MO

Teach the Children 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 from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. “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 guides the Wise Men to Jesus.” 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 door. “Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection.” “Teach the children that I, Santa Claus symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December.” He then pulled from his bag an ornament of himself.

December 23, 2018

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 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 begotten SON…” “Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.” “Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the Holy BABE and presented HIM with gold, frankincense and myrh. We should generously give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men.” 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 sym-bol that we are our brother’s keeper - especially the lost ones.” 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 man-kind 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.”