The Wise Man from the East.

Centuries ago in the Far East, perhaps in Ur of Chaldea, there lived a very wise man called Claus.  He knew the ways and seasons of the Earth and had great knowledge of the heavens.  He regarded the stars for signs of the great happenings, both present and future.  One night he saw a new star of exceeding brilliance in the western sky.  Claus perceived this star to foretell of the birth of a great king.  He immediately summoned some friends to journey in the direction of this star to prove his perception and, if true, to worship that new ruler.

They journeyed far and the star remained to guide them.  Far away, near the town of Bethlehem, lowly shepherds had received an announcement from a host of angels, "Unto you this day, in the City of David, is born a Savior which is Christ the Lord."  Wise men and kings were not informed.  Only the lowly shepherds who were not considered clean enough to worship in the Temple.  The Claus and his friends arrived eventually and inquired where that newly born king might be.  The king didn't know but he desperately wanted to eliminate any competition for his crown.

The friends of the shepherds led Claus and his friends to the baby Jesus and His earthly family.  The wise men had brought precious gift of Gold, Frankincense,  and Myrrh to give in worship to the newborn king.  They opened these gifts and laid them by the baby.  I don't know exactly how the communications proceeded but, I believe, Jesus told them, "I came not to receive riches but to give the greatest of gifts.  Go and give these earthly gifts to celebrate this day.  Let it always serve as a reminder of the day I give myself to purchase Eternal Life for all who will come to Me."

I can't say for sure that this is the way it happened but it could be.  As we think of Santa Claus and gifts, may our first thoughts always be of that greatest gift of all; Jesus Christ gave Himself to buy our Eternal Life.  Without Christ there is no reason for CHRISTmas.