THE TREE

We were rushing around from store to store in between the raindrops that where falling sporadically.
There is an ancient story about a little Christmas tree in the forest who was dwart by all the other giant trees and rude jokes were made of it because of its size.  One night the big trees saw a wonderful sight of the sky being lit up with a glorious light and the stars appeared to be dancing among the clouds and angels came and sang the most heavenly music.

The little tree sighed and wished that he could see.  When suddenly the angels came into their very forest.  The music surrounded the little tree and it felt loved and beautiful and filled with divine peace.  The dancing stars came and rested upon his branches and all the other trees bowed to see what was happening.  All the angels left except one and the light from its presence shone upon the tree.

This little tree grew strong and tall guarded by the angel so that no strong wind could threaten to break it's branches.  Over the years there wwould come a man alone who climb this hill and sat among the branches of the tree.  He too felt his sadness and despair leave and strength return to his soul.  He would hear in this quiet place the voice of His Heavenly Father saying again "You are my beloved son.  I am proud of you!"

One night the man came with a group of his friends who lay and slept under the other trees while he wept in anguish great tears of grief and words of desperate prayers.  He left and the angel left too.  The next morning men came and chopped down the tree and stripped it of it's branches.  The tree felt life being taken from it.

The tree became the cross upon which the man who had saved others now died in agony.

This time of year can be very sad for many people, especially if they feel alone and some how unwelcome as they watch others celebrate.  But even these who appear to be happy are just putting on an act.  They cover themselves with beautiful clothes and wine and dine but inside there can be an emptiness.

I feel a great sadness as I pray for young children with cancer and a 16 year old paralzyed by a stroke and a widow who has lost her husband. Listening to the news I hear of people being shout or run over or dying alone and I wish the world could be a happy place for us all.

The gift of Christmas is the love of heaven coming to descend upon each one of us especially those who are the most wounded and sad.