No sooner had I asked the question when, with one quick movement, he brought out a miniature toy bag from behind the tree.

As I stood there bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children! Teach them the meaning of Christmas. The meaning that children nowadays have forgotten!"

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a fir tree and placed it before me.

"Teach the children that the pure green colour of the fir tree remains green all year around, as a picture of the everlasting hope of mankind. All the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts toward Heaven."