Matt 9:6, heading 6 But that ye may know that the Son of
man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith
he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
Carol: When Joseph Went to Bethlehem - #38
Words of the
Prophets
There are men who object to Santa Claus, because he does not
exist! Such men need spectacles to see that Santa Claus is a symbol; a symbol
of the love and joy of Christmas and the Christmas spirit. In the land of my
birth there was no Santa Claus, but a little goat was shoved into the room,
carrying with it a basket of Christmas toys and gifts. The goal of itself
counted for nothing; but the Christmas spirit, which it symbolized, counted for
a tremendous lot.
As a boy, I loved going to the canyon to cut our Christmas
tree, and I always tried to get one that reached to the ceiling. Though we
received only a few gifts, our stockings were filled with fruit, nuts, and
candy, and Santa always left something. Like all children, we suffered terrible
anticipation at Christmastime--until, that is, we happened onto the Santa Claus
costume in the bottom of an old trunk. Suddenly the secret was out. So that was
why Father was always out doing chores when Santa came on Christmas
morning.
From The Joys of Christmas, a booklet of President Benson's
testimony on the true meaning of the season.
How is Christmas regarded today? The legend of Santa Claus,
the Christmas tree, the decorations of tinsel and mistletoe, and the giving of
gifts all express to us the spirit of the day we celebrate; but the true
spirit of Christmas lies much deeper than these. It is found in the life of the
Savior, in the principles He taught, in His atoning sacrifice—which become our
great heritage.
Emphasis added. From "The
Real Christmas," a 1972 BYU Devotional.
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