Holidays

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Having reached the street corner where the Christmas tree lot was located, Mr Andrews decided to go on back home. He had passed the Christmas tree lot many times over the past weeks traveling to and from work. Each time he passed, he had wished he had enough money to buy a tree. But now he would just have to tell his little son, Timmy, the truth. He didn't have any money to buy the family a Christmas tree.

Then, just as he turned toward home the little crooked pine caught his attention. When the man threw it over the fence most of the snow had been shaken off . Now its green branches could be seen through the snow that had since fallen. The lot was empty and the lights were turned off, and it was easy to see this one tree had been discarded.

"Oh, dear Lord!" Mr. Andrew said excitedly. "A Christmas tree! Why, it must be one that didn't sell before they got ready to close up."

Quickly, reaching down, he carefully picked up the little crooked pine and dusted off the remaining snow. "I can't believe it!" He said, smiling. Then he gently placed it on his shoulder. His steps were much lighter as he hurried back along the path toward home. He could hardly wait to get there to show the little tree to his wife.

Christmas morning arrived with Timmy jumping out of bed and hurrying as fast as he could into the living room. He was anxious to see the tree that God sent to them in answer to his prayer.

Entering the room, he gasped with excitement. There it was - draped with the long, colorful paper chain which he had helped make - and on top was Mommy's beautiful white paper angel!

"Oh! Mommy and Daddy, and Mark!" Timmy shouted with excitement. "Aren't you happy! Look at the tree God sent to us. Isn't it a beautiful Christmas tree!"

Timmy quickly reached down and placed little Mark's hands together, helping him to clap. Baby Mark laughed, then started crawling toward the Christmas tree. Timmy looked at the tree again, and began clumsily jumping up and down, clapping his hands with glee.

"Look! Look!" He shouted. "The paper chain is just the right size!"

Then suddenly Timmy stopped jumping and clapping. He noticed something about the tree. He stepped up closer. There was something different about this Christmas tree that had caused him to get very quiet.

For a moment, Timmy just stood looking at it. He looked down at the base then all the way to the top.

Finally, nearly in a whisper, he said, "Oh, Mommy, look! The Christmas tree is bending over just so that Mark and I can see the beautiful white angel on the top."

Mrs. Andrews had been watching her young son closely as he had suddenly stopped to look at the tree. Now her eyes moistened with tears of joy, as smiling happily she responding softly, "Yes, Timmy, dear - it's a perfect Christmas tree, isn't it?"

Mr. Andrews, had been standing quietly in the doorway watching and listening. He dropped his head while quickly brushing away the tears that had suddenly filled his eyes. They had sprung up out of his heart, so filled with joy.

"Thank you, Lord," he said quietly. For "Thank you for once again proving your love and faithfulness to us. I will never doubt you again."

As the rays of the Christmas morning sun streamed brightly through the window, the little crooked pine tree stood surrounded by a room filled with happiness. He smiled as he thought about the wonder of it all. His dream of being a beautiful Christmas tree, and making some little boy or girl happy had finally come true.

All through the years while he had been growing on the hillside, the little crooked pine had never felt such warmth - and so much love.

Are you, like Mr. Andrews, thinking that all hope is lost. God has a purpose in your life.

"I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jeremiah 29:11)

God's timing is perfect. Events which at the time may seem tragic and heart-breaking may become a special miracle - when placed in God's hands. ©copyright 2008, www.menofagape.com

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