twas the night jesus came - adventist...

North American Division Teacher Bulletin 1

Seasonal - Christmas

Twas the night Jesus came and all through the house, not a person was praying, not one in the house.

The Bible was left on the shelf without care, for no one thought Jesus would come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed, not once ever kneeling or bowing their head.

And Mom in the rocking chair with baby on her lap, was watching the Late Show as I took a nap.

When out of the East there rose such a clatter, I sprang to my feet to see what’s the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,tore open the shutters and lifted the sash.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but Angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.

The light of His face made me cover my head, it was Jesus returning just like He’d said.

And though I possessed worldly wis-dom and wealth, I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life that he held in his hand, was written the name of every saved man.

He spoke not a word as He searched for my name. When He said, “It’s not here,” I hung my head in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love, He gathered to take to his Father above.

With those who were ready He rose without a sound, while all the others were left standing around.

I fell to my knees but it was too late, I waited too long and thus sealed my fate.

I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight, Oh, if only I’d known that this was the night.

In the words of this poem, the mean-ing is clear the coming of Jesus is now drawing near.

There’s only one life and when comes the last call, We’ll find out that the Bible was true after all!

Twas the Night Jesus Came . . .



history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly ...JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO ...JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says “You better not cry.” .JESUS says “Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.”

Santa’s little helpers make toys ...JESUS makes new life, mends wound-ed hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but... JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree ...JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

It's obvious there is really no compari-son. We need to remember WHJO Christmas is all about.

We need to put Christ back in Christmas,Jesus is still the reason for the sea-son.

Yes, Jesus is better, Even better than Santa Claus.

Merry CHRISTmas!!!

Santa and Jesus

Why Jesus Is Better Than Santa Claus

Santa lives at the North Pole. JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh ... JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year ...JESUS is an ever-present help.

Santa fi lls your stockings with goodies .JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney un-invited .

JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart.

You have to wait in line to see Santa ...JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap. JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn’t know your name, all he can say is “Hi little boy or girl,what’s your name?” ...

Jesus knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He know our



This is how it happened...I had 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 state-ment. “TEACH THE CHILDREN!”

I was puzzled; what did he mean? He an-ticipated 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, depict-ing 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 symbol-izes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great

light we are reminded of Him who displaces the darkness.”

Once again he reached into his bag and re-moved a WREATH and placed it on the tree. “Teach the children that the wreath symbol-izes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of af-fection.”

He then pulled from his bag an ornament of himself. “Teach the children that I, Santa Claus symbolize the generosity and goodwill 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 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 only 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 myrrh. We should always 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 shepherd's’ crook. The crook on the staff

Teach the Children



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 the glorious news of the Savior’s birth. The angels sang ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, 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 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 hum-ble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship HIM, our LORD, our GOD.”



The “W” in Christmas

Each December, I vowed to make Christ-mas a calm and peaceful experience. Ihad cut back on nonessential obliga-tions---extensive card writing, endlessbaking, decorating, and even over-spending. Yet still, I found myselfexhausted, unable to appreciate the pre-cious family moments, and of course,the true meaning of Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergar-ten that year. It was an exciting seasonfor a six year old. For weeks, he’d been memorizing songs for his school’s“Winter Pageant.” I didn’t have the heart to tell him I’d be working thenight of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke withhis teacher. She assured me there’d be a dress rehearsal the morning of thepresentation. All parents unable to at-tend that evening were welcome to comethen. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.

So, the morning of the dress rehears-al, I filed in ten minutes early, founda spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw severalother parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the studentswere led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, satcross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to performtheir song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holidayas “Christmas,” I didn’t expect any-thing other than fun, commercial

entertainment---songs of reindeer, San-ta Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.So, when my son’s class rose to sing, “Christmas Love,” I was slightly takenaback by its bold title.

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens,red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row---center stage---held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title ofthe song. As the class would sing “C is for Christmas,” a child would holdup the letter C. Then, “H is for Hap-py,” and on and on, until each childholding up his portion had presented the complete message, “Christmas Love.”

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small,quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter “M” upside down---totallyunaware her letter “M” appeared as a “W.” The audience of 1st through 6thgraders snickered at this little one's mistake But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W."

Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continueduntil the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush cameover the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holi-day in the fi rst place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.

For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:“CHRISTWAS LOVE”

And, I believe, He still is.

twas the night jesus came - adventist...

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