A brother and sister had made their usual hurried,
obligatory Pre- Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt
their elderly parents with their small herd of horses.
The Farm was where they had grown up and had been named,
' Lone Pine Farm '
because of the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farm.
Through the years the tree had become a talisman to the
old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside.

The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood here, but
the city hustle and bustle added more excitement to their
lives, and called them away to a different life.

The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years
had taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those
frosty mornings was getting harder, but it gave them a reason to
get up in the mornings and a reason to live.
They sold a few foals each year, and the horses were their reason for joy
in the morning and contentment at day's end.

Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple
confronted the old folks, " Why do you not at least dispose of
The Old One."
She is no longer of use to you.
It's been Years since you've had foals from her.
You should cut corners and save
so you can have more for yourselves.
How can this worn out horse bring you anything but expense and work ?
Why do you keep Her Anyway ?

The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the
toes, scuffed at the barn floor and replied, " Yes, I could use
a pair of new boots.

His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew
her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her
ears.
He replied softly, " We keep her because of love.
Nothing else, just love."

Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man
and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city
as darkness stole through the valley.

The old couple shook their heads in sorrow that it had not
been a happy visit.
A tear fell upon their cheeks.
How Is It that these young folks do not understand the peace of the love
that filled their hearts ?

So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one
noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old
barn.
None saw the first spark fall.
None but the, " Old One. "

In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the
hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay.
With a cry, of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call
for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses.
But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back.
He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury...
His wife back from calling for help cradled him in her
arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their loss.

By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking,
glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted
from their grief, huddled together before the barn.
They were speechless as they rose from the cold snow covered ground.
They nodded thanks to the firemen as there was nothing anyone could
do now.
The old man turned to his wife, resting her white head
upon his shoulders as his shaking old hands clumsily dried her
tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, " We have
lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas.
Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the old pine where
we have sought comfort in times of despair.
We Will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been
spared and pray for our beloved most precious gifts that have been taken
from us.

And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the
snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of
his old and withered hand.

The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the
steep snow.
As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest
of the hill, they paused to rest, looking up to the top of the
hill the old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement
at the incredible beauty before them.

Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was
caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their
beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles.
And Poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened
like spun glass.
Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this.
They were breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.