On the first of December young Jennifer Rose
And Lindsey Christine donned their warm winter clothes
They were both so excited that morning to be
With their parents all going to shop for a tree
"It just wouldn't be Christmas"… their Mom liked to say
"Without all the symbols that stand for that day
Like beautiful stockings to hang by the fire
And fill with small presents to our hearts' desire
The bright merry twinkling of colorful lights
To warm up this season of cold winter nights
Friends' beautiful greetings on cards of good cheer
Arranged on the mantle like teams of reindeer
But oh most important… we mustn't forget
A fine Christmas tree for our family to get
So run out of the house and hop into the car
We'll search high and low… we'll look near and far"
Their good father once told them… "The eye of your mind
Can picture an object you're looking to find
So just you imagine what you'd like to see
To create the magic of what is to be"
So Mom… Dad and Lindsey… and Jennifer Rose
Set off for the tree farm where happiness grows
"It's hard to suppose what a Christmas would be"
Said Jennifer Rose… "with no Christmas tree
But Dad there's one problem"… she paused… then went on
"When Christmas is over our tree will be gone
The green of its needles"… she said with a tear
"Will turn dry and brown before the new year
It seems such a pity and it makes me feel sad
To know that our Christmas tree soon will go bad
So Lindsey and I have agreed with each other
And we have a favor to ask you and Mother
Instead of us chopping our Christmas tree down
Which will make us unhappy and make us both frown
We ask that you give us a gift that keeps giving
A real Christmas tree that is growing and living"
Dad smiled a big smile and Mom started to giggle
They all laughed so hard that they made the car jiggle
"My beautiful children"… said their Mom… "I can see
That the spirit of Christmas has filled us with glee
We'll get a real tree that's alive if you want it
And when Christmas is over then we can replant it"
Dad said… "We can do that… it won't be too hard
To transplant the tree out front in our yard"
So Jennifer Rose with her Mom… Dad and Lindsey
Arrived at the tree farm with hearts full of whimsy
There were so many trees all lined up in a row
But they'd all been cut down and could no longer grow
A man wearing mittens and a bright yellow coat
Said… "Hello can I help you"… while clearing his throat
Young Jennifer tugging on her father's sleeve
Said… "Daddy remember what we have agreed"
So her father spoke up and he asked that nice man
"Would you happen to have a small tree in a can?
We've talked it all over… my family and me
And decided that we'd like a live Christmas tree"
The man scratched his head after lifting his hat
Then said… "I'm afraid that you're too late for that
I did have some live trees that weren't very old
But I no longer have them as they have been sold"
When the girls heard him say that they started to cry
The man took off his mittens to wipe his own eyes
"I know that you feel bad but please don't be nervous
'Cause I give my customers all my best service
Now just you wait here while I look all around
To see if there's something that hasn't been found"
He was gone for one minute that seemed like an hour
Then returned with a smile like a bright summer flower
And what do you think he had clutched in his mitten
But a tree just as small as the tail on a kitten
Though its needles were green they were a bit pale
That's why no one had bought it when it was on sale
The man with the mittens gave that tree to the girls
Which made them both smile 'til their teeth shown like pearls
He turned to their Dad and said… "This one's on me
Since no one else wants it you can have it for free!"
So Jennifer Rose and Dad… Lindsey and Mom
Thanked him sincerely… then left to drive home
The girls were excited and found it hard waiting
To get their tree home to begin decorating
But when they arrived both the girls seemed to notice
That their tree looked as sad as a frog on a lotus
It didn't seem well… like it hadn't been cared for
But a tree can't explain the why and the wherefore
Their Mom said… "Don't fret I've been thinking a lot
What our Christmas tree needs is a big brand new pot
We can fill it with soil right up to the brim
And then water it down like it went for a swim
We'll feed it some plant food 'til it's had its fill of
And of course… most important… we'll give it some real love"
So the girls and their Mom they rolled up their sleeves
And they gave their small tree all the things a tree needs
"We can't decorate now… it's much too small"
Mom said… "Lights and ornaments might make it fall
But we have a few weeks before it's Christmas Eve
And if we care for it well it will grow I believe"
As the hour was late the girls went to their beds
Where Christmas-tree-dreams whirled around in their heads
The very next morning when the sun came to rise
And Lindsey and Jennifer wide-opened their eyes
They leaped out of their beds… to the kitchen ran down
To check up on their tree to see if it had grown
Their Mom was there waiting with a ruler in hand
And said… "It's grown two inches now isn't that grand
Set it out on the porch to bask in the sunshine
To make it grow taller and green at the same time
And please don't forget… my dear darling daughters
To give it much love and a little more water"
So day after day both the girls and their mother
Took care of their tree like it was their small brother
They all made it grow stronger and would you believe
It was ready to decorate by Christmas Eve
They put on some ornaments tinsel and lights
Then stood back to admire it with so much delight
The tree stood on its table so pretty and proud
As the family sang Christmas songs joyful and loud
They drank lots of eggnog then their father said
"You know Santa won't come until you've gone to bed
So give us a hug and kiss Mommy and me
And you'll know in the morning what's under our tree"
They went off to bed but first did what they'd planned
Left some cookies and milk for one jolly old man
They both fell asleep and slept well through the night
Then awoke Christmas morn with the sun shining bright
They ran down the stairs to see what they could see
