In the not so long ago, there stood a pine tree high on a hill in God’s Garden. It truly was the most beautiful tree, and it towered high and above the other trees in the forest. The birds of the air nested in it, and the animals of the forest played beneath its protective branches. Over the years many saplings had sprouted all around the base of the big tree and stood in awe of it.
One day, a little boy named Cody and his dad drove up to the top of a mountain. The father carried his son high on his shoulder all the way from their truck and lovingly placed him down on a large rock. Cody’s dad said, “Okay, Cody, which one do you want”? The boy looked at all the pine trees with his bright blue eyes and then exclaimed, “That one, Dad, the big one!" Cody’s dad shook his head and said, “Sorry, Son, that one is way too big. There’s no way that thing will fit into the truck.” “Please, Dad, this one is special. It’s singing. Can’t you hear it?" Cody’s dad threw his head back and laughed. He said, “Boy, Cody, you sure do have some imagination”.
Obviously, the big pine tree was not chosen, because it was too big, and Cody and his father finally came to an agreement on which of the other trees they would cut down. They did this, tied it down in their truck, and drove away.
That night the big pine tree looked down in the valley and noticed that all of the little houses there twinkled as if they were illuminated from within. It was a beautiful sight and it gave him a temporary peace even though he was still bewildered as to why he had not been chosen the day before. He had even sung to that little boy, and he didn’t do that for just anyone.
Some time went by and with it came the changing of seasons. Many of the other trees would change their colors to beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow. They were truly magnificent for a time, but eventually they lost all of their leaves and looked pitiful standing bare in the cold winter wind.
One day as the pine tree was thinking so proudly of himself, and how he remained forever green no matter the weather, in blew a big storm. The heavens rumbled and lightening raced across the sky hitting the pine tree and toppling it to ground. The big tree lay there on the floor of the forest broken and splintered, not the same proud tree that it once had been. He truly believed that he would never sing again. Then all of a sudden, there appeared Cody and his father. They were choosing another tree. This time Cody had no trouble convincing his father to take the old tree, because the tree now lay on the ground making it easier to cut. So, Cody’s father cut it into three pieces and placed it in his truck.
The very next day, the pine tree found itself standing upright again in a huge room that was surrounded by six large windows that seemed to stretch to the sky. Cody’s father carried him in and placed him into a chair at the base of the tree while Cody proceeded to give a group of people instructions on how to decorate the tree. A man named Mr. Stephens asked, “Cody, what do you want me to do with all these bird’s nests in this tree?" Cody said, “Leave them there and ask Mama to bring all of her craft birds to put on all the branches.”
When they were done with this task, the pine tree saw its reflection in the windows. It was glorious! Now there were six trees, because there was a reflection of the tree in each of the windows. It was covered with a thousand twinkling lights and had beautiful hand painted signs hanging all over it that said things like Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, and Everlasting Father. Cody’s dad lifted him up really high and allowed him to crown the top of the tree with a star.
That night hundreds of people came into the building. They clapped their hands and sang songs about a man named Jesus. Afterwards some of the people went up on the stage and acted out a story about this same man. It was a
joyous event.
At the end of the night, Cody’s dad lifted him onto his shoulder, grabbed Mom’s hand, and they started to leave. On their way out they turned out all the lights except for the ones on the Christmas tree. They stood there quietly for a moment captured by its glory. It was then that Cody spoke.
“Dad, was it you who made the manger for the play?" Dad said, “Yes, I carved it from one of the pieces of the trunk of this old tree." “And Dad, was Mr. Stephens the man who played Jesus?" “Yes, he was."“Where did the cross come from?" “I made it from the second piece that we cut off of this old tree.”
“And Dad, one more thing, tonight as you were telling the congregation the story of how Jesus was really God who came down to earth as a little baby and died on the cross to save us all from our sins, well …” “Well, what son?"
“Well, Dad I asked Jesus to come live in my heart tonight.” Cody’s mom and dad gasped, and when Cody looked at them, he saw tears of joy in their eyes. Cody’s dad said, “Cody, that’s what your mom and I have prayed for every day since you were born. You were born very special, full of joy and full of love, a child who could not walk, but now you can be sure, someday you will walk with Jesus on the streets of Heaven.” “Wow, Dad, that’s awesome”!
And as they opened the door to leave, a cold December wind blew in nipping their three faces. Then Cody’s dad spoke, “Cody, do you remember asking me if I heard the trees sing?” “Yes, Dad, I do.” “Well, guess what? I can hear it now, too.”
sweet story - thanks