John Denver

Alfie, The Christmas Tree

John Denver


Did you ever hear 
the story of the Christmas Tree
who just didn't want 
to change the show
He liked living in the woods 
and playing with squirrels, 
he liked icicles and snow.

He liked wolves 
and eagles and grizzly bears
and critters 
and creatures that crawled.
Why bugs were some 
of his very best friends, 
spiders and ants and all.

Now that's not to say 
that he ever looked down 
on the vision 
of twinkling lights,
or on mirrored bubbles 
and peppermint canes 
and a thousand other delights.
And he often had dreams 
of tiny reindeer
and a jolly old man 
and a sleigh full of toys 
and presents 
and wonderful things,
and the story of Christmas Day.

Oh, Alfie believed 
in Christmas all right, 
he was full of Christmas cheer.
All of each and every day 
and all throughout the year.

To him it was more 
than a special time 
much more than a special day,
It was more 
than a beautiful story
it was a special kind of way.

You see, some folks 
have never heard 
a jingle bell ring,
And they've never heard o
f Santa Claus.
They've never heard the story 
of the Son of God. 
And that made Alfie pause.

Did that mean 
that they'd never know 
of peace on earth
or the brotherhood of man?
Or know how to love, 
or know how to give? 
If they can't, no one can.
You see, 
life is a very special 
kind of thing, 
not just for a chosen few.
But for each 
and every living 
breathing thing. 
Not just me and you.

So in your Christmas prayers 
this year, 
Alfie asked me if I'd ask you
to say a prayer for the wind, 
and the water, and the wood,
and those who live there, too.