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The First Christmas Tree: A Legend from Long Ago
This richly illustrated book helps children ages three and up appreciate this wonderful symbol and understand its deep roots in Christian tradition. For example, its evergreen needles are a reminder of eternal life, the lights remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World, and a star on top points to the star of Bethlehem shining over the Savior's birthplace. It tells the story of a humble and thankful young fir tree which found its way to the manager to worship the baby Jesus.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1997
15 people want to read
About the author
Helen C. Haidle
58 books4 followersHelen Haidle is an award-winning author of more than 30 children’s books including What Would Jesus Do?, What Did Jesus Promise?, and He is Alive. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband David.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 26, 2025
"Merry Christmas Meg & Michelle!" love, Mommy and Daddy 25 Dec 2000
Do you love book inscriptions? I do! Even so, I don't write in books lightly because I treasure them so much. Even the ones I give my family; I only write in a few. This was one I wrote in to our daughters. This book was also dedicated to "Paul and Jonathan, two gifted members of our family".
It's that kind of book. It's about being little and wondering if you have something to give 'the King's Son'. Everyone else is bringing their Best. The little fir tree asks each woodland animal as it passes, "what are you giving?" and then worries that he has nothing which is good enough for a King. The little tree cannot join everyone else in the mad rush to meet the new baby king in bringing gifts; he stays put where he continues noticing all those in the forest who are little like himself, baby mice and squirrels, eggs out of nests, etc. He bends down and rescues them, giving them safe homes in his branches. He was sad that he had nothing to give, and even sadder that he would never be able to even see his king.
Overhead, God the King was watching all. And as we know, God looks at the hearts of all. The little fir tree's kindness to all his fellow creatures was rewarded in a way only God can. So, when we look at our Christmas trees this year and, in the future, perhaps, we can see their full and brightly lit branches as a sign of God's bounty and goodness to us in memory of that first little fir tree upon the coming of His Son many years ago.
12/19/2021: Good message for little ones.
Do you love book inscriptions? I do! Even so, I don't write in books lightly because I treasure them so much. Even the ones I give my family; I only write in a few. This was one I wrote in to our daughters. This book was also dedicated to "Paul and Jonathan, two gifted members of our family".
It's that kind of book. It's about being little and wondering if you have something to give 'the King's Son'. Everyone else is bringing their Best. The little fir tree asks each woodland animal as it passes, "what are you giving?" and then worries that he has nothing which is good enough for a King. The little tree cannot join everyone else in the mad rush to meet the new baby king in bringing gifts; he stays put where he continues noticing all those in the forest who are little like himself, baby mice and squirrels, eggs out of nests, etc. He bends down and rescues them, giving them safe homes in his branches. He was sad that he had nothing to give, and even sadder that he would never be able to even see his king.
Overhead, God the King was watching all. And as we know, God looks at the hearts of all. The little fir tree's kindness to all his fellow creatures was rewarded in a way only God can. So, when we look at our Christmas trees this year and, in the future, perhaps, we can see their full and brightly lit branches as a sign of God's bounty and goodness to us in memory of that first little fir tree upon the coming of His Son many years ago.
12/19/2021: Good message for little ones.
June 23, 2023
The little tree just wanted to show its love :,)
November 21, 2013
I am not a big fan of Christmas but....well Santamas I don't dig "CHRIST"mas I can totally live with!! This is a very lovely "CHRIST"mas. It is interesting about the Fir tree and how it became a tree used at Christmas time...Very nice..nice picture! Good one!
December 21, 2015
Lovely story with colourful illustrations of this first Christmas tree imagination.
Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2015
Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2015
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews