<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"><span></span></div><div dir="ltr"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div><div><b>“The Littlest Christmas Tree” </b>by Amy Peterson</div><div><br></div><div>The littlest Christmas tree</div><div>lived in a meadow of green</div><div>among a family</div><div>of tall evergreens.</div><div>He learned how to whisper</div><div>the evergreen song</div><div>with the slightest of wind</div><div>that came gently along.</div><div><br></div><div>He watched as the birds</div><div>made a home out of twigs</div><div>and couldn't wait till</div><div>he, too, was big.</div><div>For all of the trees</div><div>offered a home,</div><div>the maple, the pine, and the oak,</div><div>who's so strong.</div><div><br></div><div>"I hate being little,"</div><div>the little tree said,</div><div>"I can't even turn colors</div><div>like the maple turns red.</div><div>I can't help the animals</div><div>like the mighty old oak.</div><div>He shelters them all</div><div>in his wide mighty cloak."</div><div><br></div><div>The older tree said,</div><div>"Why, little tree, you don't know?</div><div>The story of a mighty king</div><div>from the land with no snow?"</div><div>Little tree questioned,</div><div>"A land with no snow?"</div><div>"Yes!" said old tree,</div><div>"A very old story,</div><div>from so long ago."</div><div><br></div><div>"A star appeared, </div><div>giving great light</div><div>over a manger</div><div>on long winter's night.</div><div>A baby was born, </div><div>a king of all kings,</div><div>and with him comes love</div><div>over all things."</div><div><br></div><div>"He lived in a country</div><div>all covered in sand,</div><div>and laid down his life</div><div>to save all of man."</div><div><br></div><div>Little tree thought of the gift</div><div>given by him,</div><div>then the big tree said with the </div><div>happiest grin,</div><div>"We're not just trees,</div><div>but a reminder of that day.</div><div>There's a much bigger part</div><div>of a role that we play!"</div><div><br></div><div>"For on Christmas Eve,</div><div>my life I'll lay down,</div><div>in exchange for a happier,</div><div>loving ground.</div><div>And as I stand dying,</div><div>they'll adorn me in trim.</div><div>This all will be done</div><div>in memory of him."</div><div><br></div><div>"Among a warm fire, </div><div>with family and friends,</div><div>in the sweet songs of Christmas,</div><div>I'll find my great end.</div><div>Then ever so gently,</div><div>He'll come down to see</div><div>and take me to heaven,</div><div>Jesus and me."</div><div><br></div><div>"So you see, little tree,</div><div>we are not like the oak</div><div>who shelters all things</div><div>beneath his great cloak.</div><div>Nor are we like the maple</div><div>in fall,</div><div>whose colors leave many</div><div>standing in awe."</div><div><br></div><div>"The gift that we give</div><div>is ourselves, limb for limb,</div><div>the greatest of honor,</div><div>in memory of him."</div><div><br></div><div>The little tree bowed</div><div>his head down and cried</div><div>and thought of the king </div><div>who willingly died.</div><div>For what kind of gift</div><div>can anyone give</div><div>than to lay down your life</div><div>when you wanted to live?</div><div><br></div><div>A swelling of pride </div><div>came over the tree.</div><div>Can all of this happen</div><div>Because of just me?</div><div>Can I really bring honor?</div><div>By adorning a home?</div><div>By reminding mankind</div><div>that he's never alone?</div><div><br></div><div>With this thought, little tree</div><div>began singing with glee.</div><div>Happy and proud</div><div>to be a true Christmas tree.</div><div><br></div><div>You can still hear them singing</div><div>even the smallest in height,</div><div>singing of Christmas</div><div>and that one holy night.</div></div><div><br></div>———————————————<br><br><div dir="ltr"><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Have a merry Christmas, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)</span></div><div><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.MoscowCares.com</font></a></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.”</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">– Roy L. Smith</span></div></div></div></div></body></html>