Did you ever hear the story of the Christmas Tree
who just didn't want to change the show
He liked living in the woods and playing with squirrels, he

liked icicles and snow.

He liked wolves and eagles and grizzly bears

and critters and creatures that crawled.
Why bugs were some of his very best friends, spiders and ants
and all.


Now that's not to say that he ever looked down on the vision of
twinkling lights,

or on mirrored bubbles and peppermint canes and a thousand other
delights.
And he often had dreams of tiny reindeer

and a jolly old man and a sleigh full of toys and presents and
wonderful things,
and the story of Christmas Day.


Oh, Alfie believed in Christmas all right, he was full of
Christmas cheer.

All of each and every day and all throughout the year.

To him it was more than a special time much more than a special

day,
It was more than a beautiful story. it was a special kind of
way.


You see, some folks have never heard a jingle bell ring,
And they've never heard of Santa Claus.

They've never heard the story of the Son of God. And that made
Alfie pause.


Did that mean that they'd never know of peace on earth
or the brotherhood of man?
Or know how to love, or know how to give? If they can't, no one

can.
You see, life is a very special kind of thing, not just for a
chosen few.

But for each and every living breathing thing. Not just me and
you.


So in your Christmas prayers this year, Alfie asked me if I'd
ask you
to say a prayer for the wind, and the water, and the wood,

and those who live there, too.