To Decorate A Tree

~a new Christmas carol~

copyright (c) 2004 Londis Carpenter

Verse 1—

In the land that started Christmas, long ago and far away

A father and his son sit side by side.

And they talked about their treasures, for the father was a king,

And the boy, a prince who never was denied.

They discussed plans for first Christmas, when the boy would leave his throne,

To travel to a world of misery.

He would tell folks of his kingdom; he would teach them how to live.

He would tell them how the truth could make them free.

verse 2—

He returned, then, to his father and he said, “I have a plan.

It’s a way to end all this world’s misery.”

He said, “Let me go return there; I’ll arrive on Christmas day.

And I’ll go there just to decorate a tree.

I’ll forgive their sins and sorrows and receive them as my own

And I’ll hang them all as lights for all to see.

And I’ll take from my own riches, precious gifts you gave to me,

And I’ll set them all as gifts beneath the tree.

Verse 3—

In another little village was a child of humble birth

Who read the story of the Christmas tree

You could hear him tell his father as he bounced him on his knee

Sir, I’d really like to decorate a tree.

He said, “I know the Christmas story of another child like me.

I know he lived and died to make folks free.

I have heard his lovely stories, the kind words he had to say.

They say he was born to decorate a tree"

Verse 4—

There are lots of children, father, who all live in poverty,
Who haven’t all the good things you give me
I would like to share the blessings you’ve provided just for me
And spread them out as gifts beneath a tree.

I would like to be like Jesus, to do what he would do,

See what he saw and be what he would be.

So don't give me toys for Christmas, or fine nuts and hard candy,

For christmas let me decorate a tree.