Herman the Christmas Tree

Here is the story I promised...I hope you enjoy it.

Herman was green, beautifully green and tall too – okay not really tall like his dad, but tall. And he was full too, not because he had just eaten, but full as in broad and not sparse. Not as full as his mom, but full just the same.

What is Herman? Herman is a tree, an evergreen tree to be exact. A Frazier Fir to be really exact.

Herman lived in a forest with his dad and mom. His dad stood about 14 feet tall and his mom stood about 11 feet tall and she was beautiful, really full and wide. In trees it is good to be full and wide!! There was an older tree that stood near them called “Old Jake” Old Jake stood about 40 feet tall and no one knew how old he was exactly he’d been around as long as anyone could remember. For his part, Herman stood about 5 ½ to 6 feet tall.

Standing a few feet away from Herman was his good friend Jimbo. Jimbo was an Oak tree. No one knew how Jimbo wound up in a forest full of Frazier Firs but Herman was glad he was there. Herman and Jimbo spent their days enjoying the passing seasons and watching the forest animals. In the Spring the animals had their babies and often made nests in Herman’s and Jimbo’s branches. In the summer, the animals came to the trees for shelter from the heat of the day.

In the Fall, Jimbo’s leaves changed color and eventually fell off. Herman called him “baldy” and Jimbo didn’t like that much! He got revenge though when his leaves fell off and the wind took them, many of them would land on Herman making him look as if he were wearing an Oak tree disguise!!

Finally Winter. Winter used to be Herman’s favorite season. He loved the beauty of the snow and the feel of it on his branches. He enjoyed feeling the cold through his trunk and the chilly breezes as the wind kicked up during a storm. Trees don’t need scarves or hats, God made them equipped to deal with the seasons just as they are. That all changed when “they” came to the forest.

“They” came just after a light snow had fallen and the forest was coated with about 3 inches. Herman thought it looked beautiful. His mother was glowing with a light dusting of white and his father looked like a white tower. As for “Old Jake” well he was always just BIG!

Then, they heard this incredibly loud growling sound. “Was that a bear?” asked Herman. “No” said Old Jake. “That is man.” Man? What was man? Herman had never heard of an animal called man! Just then something very strange rolled in, that’s right! Rolled on four round feet. It’s sides opened and creatures emerged from it like they’d been hatched. The creatures approached his dad – were they looking for a place to build a nest? Thought Herman.

“This one will be perfect for the Governor’s mansion.” Said one of the creatures. “Perfect.” Said another. With that, the really loud growling noise started again and Herman noticed they put something up to his dad’s trunk. Then, his dad was falling!! Herman, said “Nooooo!” as his dad hit the forest floor. “I love you both!” his dad said as he was loaded onto the rolling creature and tied up with what Herman thought looked like snakes. “Ohhhh!” his mother was saying. Trees don’t cry but she was obviously very sad. But it wasn’t over yet.

“We still need one for inside the mansion.” Said one of the creatures, Herman assumed these must be the “men” Old Jake had talked about. “Yea and its getting cold so let’s decide quickly.” Said another. “How about this one?” said yet another. He was standing beside Herman’s mom! “It is nice and full and the perfect size.” Herman agreed she was full and perfect, but he didn’t like where this was heading. But it headed where he thought it would. The growling thing started up again and his mother fell and was tied with the snakes. “I love you son.” His mother said. “I love you too mom.” Said Herman. It was really a horrible day!! Herman and Jimbo were left to stare at the stumps that had been his parents just a few minutes before! “Why would they do this?” Herman said almost to himself.

“Christmas.” Old Jake said. “They will be Christmas trees.” “What is a Christmas tree?” We are Frazier Firs! Herman thought Old Jake must be going senile. But before Old Jake could answer another rolling animal smaller than the first approached. This time three “men” were hatched. One had long fir on it’s head and the other two were smaller. One of the smaller one’s had long fur too and the other looked like a smaller version of the “men” from earlier.

“Kids.” The tall furry one said, “we need to decide NOW. I’m cold and we need time to decorate it tonight too.” “Okay.” The short furry one said.

“How about this one?” said the mini man. He was standing next to Herman!! He is not too tall and he’d fit good in our house, I think.” “He?” tall furry responded. “Yeah,” said mini man “it seems like a boy tree.” “There are no boy and girl trees.” Short furry said in a superior tone. “Well, I think there are and THIS is a boy tree!” said the mini man. “Whatever.” Tall furry said. “Let’s get it home and get going!!” with that tall furry approached Herman with a growling thing and he felt a cold sensation go through his trunk and he was falling! He hit the forest floor with a thud. “Hermannnn!” He heard Jimbo yelling. “I guess I have to go be a Christmas tree now, Jimbo. Whatever that is.” Said Herman.

And sure enough, they loaded him on top of the rolling creature and trussed him down with what Herman could only determine were dead snakes as they didn’t move at all. As they headed out of the forest, Herman felt the air go through his branches like he normally did, but this time he was lying down and the wind was caused by the moving rolling thing. He was also feeling kind of dizzy as he needed water.

Once they arrived at their destination, they brought him into a building. Then they placed him into something that allowed him to stand up again and filled it with water. He gratefully soaked it up and felt better. “This tree is thirsty.” Tall furry said. “Yes we cut HIM down and took HIM away from his forest, so he is probably dehydrated.” “Robert, it is NOT a boy OR a girl!! IT is a TREE!” So the mini man’s name was Robert thought Herman. “Melissa, just because you are a teenager now, doesn’t mean you know everything!” Melissa was recently 13. So short furry was Melissa! “Well just because you are into the double digits, you don’t either!!” Robert just turned 10. “Kids! Let’s decorate the tree and STOP FIGHTING! For once!” said tall furry. “Sorry mom!” said Robert. “I know it isn’t easy for you without dad.” So tall furry was their mom, thought Herman.

“I’m fine.” Said mom, “But, we really need to get going.” With that, they hung a lot of things from Herman’s branches and placed something on top of him too. He felt kind of good all spiffed up!

The days passed quickly after that. Herman stood in the room while mom and Melissa and Robert went about their days. At night, Robert would sit up and talk to Herman. “Tree.” He would say. “I am sorry we had to take you out of your home. But, mom needed to have a nice Christmas this year. She misses dad so much. You see he is fighting the war in Iraq right now. He won’t be here for Christmas.” Again, this Christmas thing! Thought Herman, What was Christmas?

Finally, a day came when things were a bit more hectic than usual. “Robert, we need to get going! NOW!” said his mom. “I’m coming.” Said Robert. Quietly to Melissa Robert said, “I don’t understand why we need to go. I mean, God allowed dad to go to Iraq to fight during Christmas and that hurt mom. How could he do that?” Melissa responded equally as quietly, “Robert, God did not take dad, the army did. And Mom and I pray for him every night. God is helping us get through this. You should pray and and you’d see.” “Well, I’m leaving the TV on for HIM.” Robert said pointing to Herman. “He’ll be dead soon and should enjoy his last days on the earth.” “You are truly insane.” Said Melissa and headed out of the room toward her mother’s insistent calling. Robert followed after her saying to Herman “Girls!”.

Herman appreciated the “TV” which was a box showing moving pictures. However, he was caught up in the fact that he was going to be “dead soon” according to Robert. Herman had seen trees die before but not until they were old. Herman wasn’t old, he was young! All he needed was water and some nutrients and he could live just fine. Then he noticed something on the TV. A person was standing in front of a tree all decorated. “I am standing in front of the Governor’s mansion, where you can see behind me the tree all lit up beautifully! People are saying it is the most majestic tree they have had in years! It was his dad! Herman was certain. The “men” had said something about the Governor when they took him away. Then the person moved inside a building and he saw an absolutely amazing looking tree all decorated with soft lights. “This is the Governor’s family tree. The Governor’s wife said she had never seen a more full and beautiful tree.” His mom! Herman was so happy and sad too. He knew they were safe, but they were also far away from him.

The family returned. “That was such a beautiful service.” Said mom. “It was.” Said Melissa. “Yeah, it was nice.” Said Robert without much enthusiasm. Then, his mom got an object and sat down on the couch. She patted the seats next to her. “Mom, dad always read that.” Said Robert. “Well this year, we will have a new tradition.” His mother said with a catch in her voice. Melissa stared at him with a pointed glare. “Okay, yeah sure.” Said Robert and sat down.

His mother began speaking, “This is Luke, Chapter 2. In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. So, Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who he was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them at the Inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over there flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. But the angel said to them. “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find the baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger.

Suddenly a great company of heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

“And who they found there changed the world, kids. As the minister said today, and John said so many years ago, John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

“That child saved the world and he will bring your father home safe too, I’m sure of it. Good night, we need to get up early because we have to get rid of the tree after we open presents we’ll be at Aunt Margaret’s for a week.” With that, Robert began to cry. “I’ll miss him mom! I talk to him and he seems to understand me! First Dad goes and now I lose the tree too!” “Talk to God son, he’ll understand you too and unlike this tree, God can help you.” His mother said. “I’m heading to bed now, I love you!” “Me too.” Said Melissa. “Presents tomorrow!!”

“I’m going to sit up a while and say good bye to the tree.” Well Herman was happy to know what Christmas was all about. It was incredible. This Jesus was a man above all men that was for sure!

“I’m just so sad right now.” Robert said. “Mom said I should pray, but how do I do that?” It sounded to Herman that praying was simply talking to God, but of course, Herman couldn’t communicate that. “Maybe it’s like talking to God.” Said Robert. Maybe he COULD communicate! Thought Herman. I’ll try it. “God, I miss my dad. I want him home and I want him to be safe. I know you can do that over anyone else. Oh, and Amen.” “That wasn’t so hard, I guess.” Robert said to Herman. “I wonder if God heard me? The minister said prayer is like incense to God, that he really likes it.”

“The minister also said that anyone who doesn’t have Jesus in their heart should pray to receive him. I didn’t do it at the time because I was pretty upset, but now I feel so peaceful I wish I’d have done it. Maybe, I could ask now?” Herman didn’t see why not. “Let me see if I can remember how to ask. Jesus, could you come into my heart and be with me? I need to live my life right and I need help to get through until my dad comes home and beyond.”

“Well, I don’t feel much different.” Said Robert “But the minister said once Jesus is in your life it starts to change and so do you.” Herman thought that must be true from what he’d heard Robert’s mom say about Jesus.

“Anyway,” yawned Robert “I need to get to bed.” “You know I bet I’m the only kid in my Sunday school class who will be able to say that their Christmas tree helped them into a relationship with Jesus!” Yeah, thought Herman and I didn’t even know who he was until a few days ago! “I wish I could tell my dad first, he will be so happy! Good night, tree.”

The next day the family exchanged gifts. To Herman, Robert seemed quieter, but he still hadn’t said anything to anyone about accepting Jesus. Then there was a ringing sound. “I’ll get it!” said Melissa “It’s probably Aunt Margaret! …DAD!” They heard her exclaim. “I need to talk to him!” said Robert “I have something VERY IMPORTANT to tell him.” Robert was so excited to be able to tell his dad first, it was as if God knew how much it meant to him! “Okay.” Said his mother, “But hurry! His time is usually short.”

“Dad,” Robert said as soon as he got on the line “I accepted Jesus into my heart last night and the Christmas tree helped!” “WHAT?!” his mother and Melissa said in unison. “That is great, Robert. I’m so excited for you, this is sure to change your life. The tree part will have to wait until I have more time, as I’m sure it’s a long story! I have news for you too, I’ll be home in less than a month!” “WOW! You are kidding! That is the best present ever, dad!” “Give me the phone!” said his mom. “Hi honey,” she said as she headed out of the room. “In less than a month…..”

“Dad is coming home in less than 1 month.” Said Robert to Melissa who was bursting to hear the news.

“Besides asking Jesus into my heart last night, I also prayed and God answered me!” Robert said “Just out of curiousity, is it always this fast?” Melissa laughed “No, Robert. “Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition present your requests to God.” And Peter says in 2Peter 3: 8-9 “With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promises as some understand slowness, but he is patient wanting everyone to come to repentance.”

“What that all means,” Melissa said “is that just because you pray it, doesn’t mean God will Fed-Ex it to you. It is according to God’s will.” Robert thought about that. “Okay, makes sense. But I’m sure glad God’s will is that Dad gets to come home.” Melissa gave Robert an uncharacteristic hug. “Me too, little brother, me too!”

With that, the family took all the decorations off of Herman and he was carried out to the curb and gently placed on the snow covered ground. “I will never forget you!” said Robert. Herman thought, “Me neither, my friend.” Herman’s last thought as he passed away was how glad he was he got to be a Christmas tree!