The radio stations are already playing Christmas carols and the stores have had their Yuletide merchandise up for weeks. The season is definitely drawing near, and with that in mind, I offer “Night Tree” by Eve Bunting to help usher in the spirit of this wonderful time of year.
On Christmas Eve, a family of four climbs into their father’s truck and heads out to the edge of town, where a thick stand of trees grows. With a lantern, carrying a big box and a blanket, they make their way deeper into the grove. They startle a deer, and stare at it for long minutes before it disappears into the woods.
After a few more minutes of walking, they come to a tree, the tree they claimed years ago. It has grown since last year, just like the children, and has been waiting for them to come back for a visit.
They unpack the box, pulling out Christmas decorations. First, a long popcorn chain, then apples and tangerines strung with loops ready to hang. They’ve spent weeks making balls of grain and honey, and they put those on the tree too. After scattering breadcrumbs and seeds around the trunk, they stand back to admire. Their tree is finished, and it’s beautiful.
They spread the blanket and snuggle down to drink hot chocolate in the quiet stillness, enjoying nature all around them. They think about all the animals who will come feast from the tree during the night, and they sing a Christmas carol, quietly, so they won’t scare away any beasts that might be approaching.
That night as they snuggle down to sleep, they think about the animals and hope they have a Merry Christmas too.
This beautifully told and illustrated book brings a touch of gentleness to the usual hurry and scurry of Christmas preparation, reminding us that we’re part of a bigger family, the family that lives on our planet and that we should appreciate the beautiful gifts of nature God has given us.
(This book was published by Voyager Books and illustrated by Ted Rand.)
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