If you have never trekked out into the woods to chop down a Christmas tree, it is quite an experience. When Robert and  I got married, my son was fourteen years old. It was our first Christmas together as a family. None of us had chopped down a Christmas tree before, so this was a new experience and adventure to share together. There are several Christmas tree farms around the St. Louis area. We picked the closest one and set out on our mission. There had been a rare December snow fall which made it even more special.

The farm had tractors which pulled huge trams behind them taking us pseudo lumberjacks to the various fields where specific pine tree varieties were grown. Armed with a red saw, which they provided, we set off to find our perfect tree. My son found a beautiful tree which he also cut down. Cutting down a tree is a manly activity for a fourteen year old! Plus, it got him into the fresh air and away from the computer!

Unfortunately, the last several years have been taken up with other commitments on weekends. My son is now in college and working, so we haven’t had the luxury of continuing this as a tradition. But we have this special event to remember and we still talk about it.

Tonight we will be venturing not miles, but around the corner to purchase a real tree from the Catholic Church. Each year they operate a tree lot as a fund raiser. So, we’ll purchase a tree and help support a cause.

For now, we don’t have room to plant a real tree. That’s another possibility to consider. Perhaps we will have that opportunity some day.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulder. And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6