All,
hear it is. Let me know what you think.
Later,
Noel"Spirit Rider"Bell
The Christmas Tree Cross
By Noel Bell copyright 2000
In the Great Forest, there are many trees.
Each tree gives a home to the forest animals, or grows
nuts to provide them with something to eat. Ever year
the trees of the Great Forest fear the return of humans.
You see, once a year humans enter the Great Forest
and cut down several of the old trees to be used as
Chirstmas trees. Being used as a Christmas tree is not what
the trees fear. They only fear what will happen to them after
Christmas. For many of them it will mean being chopped
up and used for firewood.
In this Great Forest, there is one tree that stands above the
rest. He is called the Great Oak. He is a very wise and old
tree and has many stories to tell. On day, a young pine tree
came to Listen to him.
" Great Oak," the pine says " I've come to listen to your stories and
wisdom. I want to be a Chirstmas tree."
"Stories and wisdom I have." The Great Oak says " But why do wish
to die so young?"
" Die?" The young pine asks.
" Yes," The Great Oak explains " When we are cut we being to lose
the power of the forest. When Christmas is over, the humans will chop
you up and use you for firewood. Do you understand?"
" Yes," The young pine answers " but why are they so mean?"
" After Chirstmas is over,"The Great Oak explains " the humans have
no use for us. Instead of giveinng us water they would rather destory
us. If you want to a Christmas tree, take heed to my warning."
" yes oh great one and thank you." The young pine answers.
Several months later, the humans enter the forest and start chopping
down the trees. Several call for help and cry out in pain. But there
is nothing the young pine can do.
" At least they got me, before they got you." Several of the cut trees
says.
The young pine fears that it will be only a matter of time before he is
cut. Much to his suprise, the humans leave the forest and leave him
alone.
Several days later, a kind old man enters the woods.
" Yes," the old man says " I think you do nicely."
The old man cuts the young tree down with his ax.
" That didn't hurt to bad." The young pine thinks to himself.
Th old man drags the pine to his home the old man's home and
puts it in water. Together with his wife and granddaughters, the
deceorate the tree. " So this is what Chirstmas is." The pine thinks.
" Before we open our gifts, I would like to read you a story." The old
man says. Opening his Bible the old man starts to read about
the Birth of Christ. listen with exectiment the yong pine thinks to himself
"This is one story the Great Tree never told. If I can I shall tell it to
him."
After the old man got finished reading, the old man and his family opened
there gifts and soon went to bed.
Late that evening there came a loud knock on the door.
" Who could be out at this hour?" The old man thinks to himself
Opening the doors he sees the trouble. A young girl is having a baby.
" Kind sir, my wife is haveing a baby." they young man says. " we looked
in town but there was nothing. Seeing your house I thought I'd try."
" It's not much." The old man answers " but your welcome to it."
" Thank you, thank you." the young man says.
Helping his wife the young man helps her to a room the old man shows
them. Several hours later, the young man is allowed to enter the room.
" Isn't he cute?" The young man asks.
" Looks just like his dad." The old man answers. " Feel free to stay
here as long as you want."
" Thank you." the young man says. " but we have no cradle with us."
" I can make one for the Christmas tree." the old man answers.
Takeing down the tree, the old man starts to cut it up.
" what's happening to me?" the young pine asks himself. " Is this
what the Great Oak warned me of?"
With crafty hands, the old man soon makes a cradle. Some straw
and a few blankets are place in the cradle and the baby is soon
asleep.
" May I take these two long branches?" the young man asks.
" Sure." the old man answers.
As the child grows, he gains wisdom and knowledge of the things
around him. Becasue he tells the truth, many people turn against him.
On of his best friends braterys him and has him arrested. Later, he
is taken to hill to die on a cross made from the branches of the young
pine tree. This baby that was born we know to day as Jesus Christ.
If a total stranger banged on your door in middle of the night, because
his was having a baby. Would you allow them in your home?
Makes you think don't it?
_______
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