[.ca] The Pine Tree Parable (ISBN 1400300088)

not just for christmas reading:
this book was a suprising enjoyable tale of right living for young children and adults. Read it again, mom!

Creative way to tell the meaning of Christmas:
A farm family grows Christmas trees to sell, and the farmer's wife chooses the most beautiful tree for her own family, putting a sign on it, "Not for Sale". But when a poor family comes to the tree lot to see if they can pick out a tree from the free area (trees that have missing branches or crooked trunks), the poor family's little girl sees the beautiful tree and asks if she can choose that one. Everyone is embarrased that she asks, as the adults all know her family can't afford the tree. The farmer's wife responds that she is sorry, the tree isn't for sale...because they'd like the girl's family to have it as a gift. The book ends, "Yes, it was a great sacrifice. But it brought even greater joy. Isn't that just like Christmas?" The illustrations are very kid-friendly and fun. Applicable Bible verses are at the bottom of every other page. A creative and wonderful story.