I spent sixty-nine American dollars last week on a dead tree. I took my dead tree and nailed it to a board and stood it up inside my house next to my four-foot plastic Santa Claus mold.

I spent about thirty more dollars on colored lights, garland, and a wide variety of flavored candy canes to hang on my dead tree.

I placed Santa Claus and my decorated dead tree in the front window of my house for all the passers – by on Elizabeth Drive to see. Merry Christmas!

What does any of this have to do with the true meaning of Christmas? That depends on what you believe the true meaning of Christmas is.

I am not exactly sure what Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer have to do with the birth of Christ, but I do know that celebrating Christmas without them would be boring.

I believe more seven years old believe in Santa Claus than they do in Jesus. I am not saying that is a bad thing. It’s reality.

But so what … let kids be kids.

Eventually, kids are going to figure out the Santa deal, but until they do, it surely is fun to watch as parents. It really is magical.

I can even count the numbers of chores my boys completed when they were in fear of their name landing on the naughty list.

As an adult, I understand what the true meaning of Christmas is. For me it’s personal, but the basis is the same for all, the birth of a Redeemer.

And honestly, it is up to me as an adult to deliver the true meaning of Christmas to my loved ones through all of the presents, mistletoe, and ugly Christmas sweaters.

You bet I got one…. straight from Buc-ee’s.

What other time of the year can you turn in the radio or walk through a store and hear music about a baby boy in a manger?

What other time of thew year can you so easily talk about faith, purpose, and hope in life?

What other time of the year can you feel so connected to people around the globe and sincerely wish for world peace?

My brothers and I went fishing in Canada several years ago. We were staying on a boat with several other anglers in the Charlotte Islands off the pacific coast of British Columbia. Eating breakfast one morning, a gentleman stood up at and started singing “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” Obviously, he was from America!

It was the Fourth of July, and we did not even realize it. All the Canadians on board just rolled their eyes as we Americans joined in, singing loud and proud.

The world does not share that date with us, nor do they eat turkey and dressing in late November, but we all celebrate Christmas together.

Even with Santa Claus and the Grinch battling it out, the true meaning of Christmas remains the reason for the season if you decide to allow it.

Santa is going to climb up the chimney and fly back to the North Pole and his Elves. Every present will be unwrapped and most likely forgotten within three months.

My dead tree will be tossed into the fire pit and my plastic Santa Claus will be placed back into the attic until next year.

But my God remains. And when I pray for direction in my life, I am not talking to Santa Claus. I am visiting with a man who was born in a manger in Bethlehem more than two thousand years ago.

If it takes a fat guy in a red suit and a reindeer with a nose that glows to help us remember that, it is fine with me. They won’t get in my way.

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Todd Howey is a columnist for BrownwoodNews.com whose articles appear on Fridays. Email comments to [email protected].