No Ordinary Christmas Tree

Written December 1986, as a thank you note.  I had no money for Christmas so Todd, Jenn, and I went to our friend's, the Abbott's, home to sing Christmas songs for them.  This was the only thing I (we) had to give. When we arrived home, we found a Christmas tree in the back of our station wagon.

No ordinary Christmas tree

But one hand picked with love,

By friends who saw its beauty

As it stood on the hillside above.

"Come and join us, little tree

Though we have looked at many,

There may be friends at home, you see,

Whose family hasn't any.

We'll share your strength and beauty

Your fragrant branches, spread

As open arms of friends would be

In love, by His spirit led."

The little tree stands proudly now

With lights and trim and glitter,

Making memories to last forever

Though its branches will soon wither.

The moment shared by mother and son

To affix the tree now standing tall,

Soothes aching hearts, and spans the gap

Creates new warmth, melts the wall.

The box holding years of memories

Forgotten stories come to life,

Past sounds and sights, Christmas delights

And for tonight, no room for strife.

Red jingle bells from childhood days

Treasures old and some quite new,

The stitches made by loving hands

Good works of many, His will to do.

And in the silence of the night

Faint strains of music heard,

A lonely boy, the little tree

Together, though speaking not a word.

The tiny lights twinkle simply

The trims, they weave their spell,

And now each evening at twilight

The family gathers to tell,

Of the treasures memories of Christmas

Of the smiles and sometimes the tears,

Of the best times each  one remembers

Kindness of friends through all the years.

This year there are now new friends

And this special little tree,

Surely this must be the best time

Right now, at home, we three.

Little tree of nature's forest

You hold many symbols for me,

They tell what caring and love does

Though it's something we can't always see.

The words never seem to come easy

But the meaning is perfectly clear,

Many other dear friends, and the Abbott's

In our home and our hearts, all dear.

Yes, its no ordinary Christmas tree

Hand-picked, good works to do,

By friends who saw its beauty

And shared that with us, too.

They've shared themselves so often

A hug, a kiss, a smile,

Shared words of wisdom, gospel truths

Time to listen, or walk that mile.

In another's shoes, to try to understand

To love in ways the Savior taught

These gifts they give at Christmastime

Are without price, and can't be bought.

No ordinary Christmas tree

But one hand-picked with love,

By friends who saw its beauty

And a chance to teach through love.