Family traditions…they seemed so much more pronounced during
the holidays than any other time of year. Kerry and I were just sharing with
the kids, Ryne and Samantha, how they now have the opportunity to begin new
family traditions that will begin to define their family for years to come.
Such an amazing opportunity for them, as well as for any family. One story that
we have shared as a family and have shared with others is the story of “Three
Little Trees.” Here is the story for you to possibly share with your family
this Christmas and may your lives be filled with traditions that always help
you and your family grow in the love of God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
“Once
upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted
to become when they grew up. The first little tree looked up at the stars and
said: “I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with
precious stones. I'll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!"
The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way
to the ocean. “I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful
kings. I'll be the strongest ship in the world! The third little tree looked
down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. I
don't want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when
people stop to look at me they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God.
I will be the tallest tree in the world.
Years,
passed. The rain came, the sun shone and the little trees grew tall. One day
three wood cutters climbed the mountain. The first wood cutter looked at the
first tree and said, "This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me."
With a swoop of his shining ax, the first tree fell. "Now I shall make a
beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!" the first tree
said.
The
second wood cutter looked at the second tree and said, "This tree is
strong. It's perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining ax, the second
tree fell. "Now I shall sail mighty waters!" thought the second tree.
“I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!"
The
third tree felt her heart sink when the last wood cutter looked her way. She
stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the wood cutter
never even looked up. "Any kind of tree will do for me." He muttered.
With a swoop of his shining ax, the third tree fell.
The
first tree rejoiced when the wood cutter brought her to a carpenter's shop. But
the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feed box for animals. The once
beautiful tree was not covered with gold, or treasure. She was coated with saw
dust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals. The second tree smiled when
the wood cutter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made
that day. Instead the once strong tree was hammered and awed into a simple
fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a
river, instead she was taken to a little lake. The third tree was confused when
the wood cutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard.
"What happened?" The once tall tree wondered. “All I ever wanted was
to stay on the mountain top and point to God..."
Many
days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams. But one
night, golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her
newborn baby in the feed box. "I wish I could make a cradle for him."
Her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight
shone on the smooth and sturdy wood. “This manger is beautiful." She said.
And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world. One
evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The
traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon
a thundering and a thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She knew
she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through the
wind and the rain. The tired man awoke. He stood up, stretched out his hand,
and said, "Peace." The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And
suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the king of heaven and earth.
One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were
yanked from the forgotten wood pile. She flinched as she was carried through an
angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hand to her.
She felt ugly and harsh and cruel. But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and
the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love
had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And every time
people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than
being the tallest tree in the world.”
The
next time you feel down because you didn't get what you wanted, sit tight and
be happy because God is thinking of something better to give you.
Merry Christmas!
Joe,
Kerry, and Baylee Vivian
