Summary:<\/b>\u00a0As explained to Little Joe by his father and brothers.<\/p>\n
Rated G \u00a0WC 1,780 words<\/p>\n
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Why Jesus is Better than Santa<\/strong><\/p>\n Ben sat back and watched as his sons<\/strong> put the final touches on the big Christmas tree that Adam and Hoss had cut down and dragged into the house earlier that afternoon. It was easy to spot the decorations that his youngest son, Little Joe, had placed on the tree. Ben stifled a giggle, all of Little Joe\u2019s ornaments hung on the lowest branches and seemed to all be clustered in one or two spots directly in the front. It was all right though, decided Ben, the boy was doing his best and his efforts seemed to make him happy.<\/p>\n Ben was glad to see the shine returned to his son\u2019s eyes and to hear the sounds of his laughter, for it had been a long time, or so it would seem, that he had seen his youngest son this happy\u2026this joyful and in such high spirits. The boy\u2019s mother had died earlier in the year from an accident and her death had left a big hole in all of their hearts, especially Little Joe\u2019s. It was only until recently that the boy had stopped crying himself to sleep each night. His nightmares however lingered still, though they were becoming less and less and Ben knew deep in his heart that one day they would disappear for good. He longed for that day for his son\u2026Little Joe had, up until the time of his mother\u2019s untimely death, been a happy energetic little fellow, always discovering something new that on most occasions would lead him into trouble. He was a loving, sweet little boy who had come into their lives after much sadness and had in his own way, renewed their faith in God and man. Joseph had been to his mother, the perfect son\u2026to his father, he had been and still was, the joy in his life that kept him young at heart and who had given him more reasons to live than he could have dreamed. To his two older brothers he was some times a nuisance, but always their little buddy. His mama would be proud of her son, Ben\u2019s thoughts whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019s that Pa?\u201d Little Joe said as he scurried over to his father and crawled into his lap.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ve ever seen a more perfect Christmas tree, son,\u201d Ben answered as he hugged the boy to him. \u201cHave you Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam stepped back to admire the tall pine that glistened with an array of colors.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026I don\u2019t think I have either, Pa\u2026Little Joe\u2026you did a fine job!\u201d he laughed as he tousled the boy\u2019s thick curls.<\/p>\n \u201cYa sure did,\u201d echoed Hoss as he backed up to admire the tree. \u201cWhy, I don\u2019t think Mama could have\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss suddenly realized what he was saying and quickly hushed. He glanced over at his father, hoping that his little brother had not picked up on his statement. Little Joe was watching him intently.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay, Hoss\u2026I don\u2019t mind you talking about Mama\u2026I like talking about her\u2026don\u2019t you, Pa?\u201d Little Joe asked and then turned to look into his father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n Ben swallowed. It was still painful for him to speak of his dead wife, but many times in recent months, he\u2019d had to push aside his own hurts in order to share special moments with Marie\u2019s son. In the beginning, Joe had refused to even mention his mother\u2019s name, but then, as time began it\u2019s healing process, Joe became more vocal and then it was all anyone could do to put a cap on his chattering, not that they tried. Doc Martin, an old friend of the family\u2019s had told Ben and Adam and Hoss that it was good for the little one to talk freely about his mother, it was a normal part of the healing. So, despite their own sadness the three older Cartwrights had listened with open hearts to Little Joe rattle on and on about his mother. It was only after months that each one began to realize that not only was Joe coming to terms with his mother\u2019s death, but they were as well. It was as if God had deemed it only fitting that a child should lead them out of their darkness and back into the light of life once more.<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2026\u201d Little Joe said again as he placed his little hand on his father\u2019s cheek and turned Ben\u2019s head so that he could see into his eyes. \u201cDon\u2019t ya like talking about Mama?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben took a deep breath and forced a smile. It was supposed to be the happiest season of the year\u2026but in his heart, this first year without his beloved wife, would be his absolute hardest. Ben determined to mask his grief so that his son would not lose the joy he saw burning in his bright hazel eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course I do Little Joe\u2026and what I think Hoss was going to say, was that your Mama couldn\u2019t have made the Christmas tree any prettier than what you and Hoss and Adam have done\u2026isn\u2019t that right, Hoss?\u201d Ben smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cYep\u2026that\u2019s exactly what I was goin\u2019 say\u2026\u201d Hoss agreed as he quickly wiped away the dampness that threatened to spoil the happy expression he wore.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s smile broadened across his pudgy little face.<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2026I remember last year\u2026Mama told me that Christmas was Jesus\u2019 birthday\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right, Little Joe\u2026but do you really remember last Christmas?\u201d Ben asked doubtfully. He grinned and glanced around at Adam and Hoss who had both taken a seat on the settee.<\/p>\n \u201cSure\u2026I \u2018member\u2026Mama told me how Jesus was born in a stable cause there weren\u2019t no room at the hotel\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cInn,\u201d Adam corrected.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2026inn\u2026\u201d Joe said, casting a small frown at his older brother. \u201cBut she told me more\u2019n that\u2026she told me why Jesus was better\u2019n Santa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s brows rose noticeably. \u201cOh\u2026she did?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYep\u2026but I can\u2019t \u2018member it all,\u201d Joe said as the smile faded and he snuggled close against his father\u2019s chest. He fingered the soft leather of the vest that Ben wore.<\/p>\n \u201cMama said that I should never forget the real meaning of Christmas\u2026that it wasn\u2019t all just about Santa and gettin\u2019 presents and such\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s voice had grown soft. His little hand swiped at his nose. It was then that Ben heard Joe make a sniffling sound. He raised the boy\u2019s head slightly and studied his son\u2019s face. Joe had tears in his eyes and looked about ready to cry.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph\u2026what\u2019s wrong son?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n Joe made another sniffling sound as a tiny bead of water rolled down one side of his face. Adam, concerned, quickly moved from the settee to sit in front of his father and baby brother. He placed a hand on the boy\u2019s knee.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy are you crying, buddy?\u201d he questioned.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t remember what Mama said\u2026\u201d whimpered Little Joe. \u201cAnd she said I shouldn\u2019t never forget\u2026and I\u2026forgot\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ben hugged the boy tightly. \u201cOh\u2026that\u2019s alright Little Joe\u2026I think I know what your mother told you\u2026I\u2019ll help you remember\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo will I,\u201d volunteered Adam. \u201cMama told me the same things\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I\u2019ll help, Punkin\u2026I know what she wanted you to remember\u2026in fact, she wanted all of us to remember\u2026didn\u2019t she, Pa?\u201d Hoss said as he moved to sit beside Adam on the wide table.<\/p>\n \u201cYes she did\u2026I\u2019ll start\u2026Adam\u2026you help me out\u2026Hoss you too\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure\u2026well, Little Joe\u2026Santa lives at the North Pole …\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJESUS is everywhere,\u201d Ben explained.<\/p>\n It was Hoss\u2019 turn. \u201cSanta rides in a sleigh …Little Joe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c But JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water,\u201d Ben continued.<\/p>\n \u201cSanta comes but once a year …\u201d<\/p>\n \u201dJESUS is an ever present help.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSanta fills your stockings with goodies …\u201d Adam smiled.<\/p>\n \u201dJESUS supplies all your needs.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss puffed out his chest and laughed, \u201cHo, Ho, Ho\u2026Santa comes down your chimney uninvited.\u201d …<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s expression was serious as he stated, \u201cJESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have to wait in line to see Santa …\u201d<\/p>\n \u201dJESUS is as close as the mention of His name.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSanta lets you sit on his lap …\u201d<\/p>\n \u201dJESUS lets you rest in His arms.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSanta doesn’t know your name, all he can say is \u2018Hi little boy or girl, what’s your name?\u2019 …\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJESUS knew our names before we were born. Not only does He know our name, He knows our where we live too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe\u2019s eyes had dried as he listened intently while his father and brother\u2019s continued. He giggled when Hoss patted his belly.<\/p>\n \u201cSanta has a belly like a bowl full of jelly …\u201d<\/p>\n \u201dJESUS has a heart full of love!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll Santa can offer is HO HO HO …\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJESUS offers health, help and hope.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSanta says \u2018You better not cry\u2019 …\u201d Adam said as he pretended to wipe the tears from Little Joe\u2019s cheeks.<\/p>\n \u201dJESUS says, \u2018Cast all your cares on me, for I care for you\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSanta’s little helpers make toys …\u201d<\/p>\n \u201dJESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSanta may make you chuckle but …\u201d Adam smiled and glanced at his father, leaving the statement unfinished. Ben picked up the rest.<\/p>\n \u201dJESUS gives you joy that is your strength,\u201d he said in his rich, deep voice.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile Santa puts gifts under your tree …\u201d<\/p>\n \u201dJESUS became our gift and died on a tree…. The cross,\u201d Ben said as he smiled at all three of his sons.<\/p>\n His heart felt God\u2019s surge of peace flowing though it. The lesson his wife had taught to his sons was not only a reminder of her love, but of God\u2019s love as well. Joe snuggled deeper if possible, against his father. Ben\u2019s arms wrapped about the boy. Adam placed his arm around Hoss\u2019 broad shoulders\u2026no one said a word\u2026each was lost in their own thoughts\u2026and memories\u2026all had found comfort in the renewed knowledge that despite their loss, their sadness and grief\u2026they still had reason to celebrate the season.<\/p>\n And so do we! But first, we need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas, Jesus is still the reason for the season, He is the reason to celebrate.<\/p>\n May each and everyone of you, have a very Merry Christmas, and a wonderful New Year\u2026and my prayers for each of you is that God will bless you\u2026that He will become real in your lives and because of that, you will find the true meaning of the season.<\/p>\n Remember\u2026 I love you all!!<\/p>\n Christmas 2005<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nFor God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16<\/p>\n