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 o
f 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.