By Austin Jepson

December 24, 2021

Surrounding that tree, some giants grew tall

And blocked out most of the sun,

But as soon as I saw the little dwarf pine

I knew that it was the one. 

I dug out its base away from the snow

And started to sharpen my saw.

I cleared a few limbs to give me a view,

And suddenly it started to thaw. 

The branches I cut and laid on the ground

Grew roots and a trunk of their own.

I fell on my back, quite shocked and afraid,

Because now my little tree was full grown.

It towered so high, the highest of all,

Its top unseen from below.

I climbed to my feet, then fell to my knees.

The king of the trees was aglow.

My fear disappeared, replaced all at once,

With a feeling of wonder and awe.

The tree was on fire and yet didn’t burn.

I couldn’t believe what I saw.

As I knelt in the snow, I opened my heart

And into it, a spirit came in.

My ears then could hear, and my eyes then could see

His glory that shown from within.

My child, when you tried to look for a tree

Of perfect dimension and size,

But decided instead to love one as this,

You uncovered a limitless prize. 

Born on the earth, in the humblest of place,

Unwelcomed by all in the inn,

A new star still shown as a sign to the world

That my mission was soon to begin. 

I showed how to live and died for you all

On a cross that was made out of wood.

Then ascended to Heaven, all glory to God,

So each of the rest of you could. 

Now this little tree, as good as the rest,

But easy to just overlook,

Has shown you it’s soul, the infinite worth,

Its physical form man mistook. 

But I’ve always known the power inside,

The feelings and hopes and desire. 

The tree that you found, the one that you chose,

Is the same as the one now on fire.

Merry Christmas to all and may you remember this day

For all that it really does mean.

And be kind to all, the weak and the tall,

And search for their power unseen.