• In 1822 Clement Moore wrote a poem for children that has never been forgotten. It was entitled, "Twas the Night before Christmas..."!
• Santa Claus is a Dutch word that is actually Sinter Claus, Saint Nicholas in English.
• Saint Nicholas was the supposed early Bishop of a church in Asia Minor [the modern country of Turkey]. He became aware of some desperate needs in his congregation, and a family having to sell their children into slavery, so one night he came and left money on their doorstep. It was gold in a stocking.
• Christmas Cards started in 1844. An English artist named William Dobson, drew up some pictures in England for use at this season. They found local use there and soon spread to America. In 1846 Cole and Horsley saw the commercial potential of this growing tradition and started the production of what is now over a $1,000,000,000.00 industry, that sees 4 billion cards sent each year in America alone. 

A Final Conclusion

• Don't lose the Spiritual Depth of Christmas because of its Pagan association.
• Don't miss the Spiritual Delight of Christmas because of the Commercial association.
• Don't forget the Spiritual Despair of the World because of Christmas and its wonders.
• Some challenges:

1. Give a gift to Jesus.
2. Like Christ, give to those who can't repay you.
3. Pause to sense the darkness outside at night, and then thank God for sending the light.
4. Read the Scriptures to your family.
5. Start some traditions that point to Christ.
6. Enjoy this wonderful time of the year, don't lose the season for the rush.

^[1] III, pp. 394ff.

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