The Wise Men knelt and offered gifts,
The birds and beasts came, too,
And each gave tiny Jesus
The best gift that they knew.
The plants and trees paid homage
With flower and with vine.
All laid treasures at His feet -
All but the tiny pine.
" My needles sharp will harm the Child,
O Father up above.
But what else can I offer
To tell Him of my love?"
Then God, in pity, sent some stars
From heaven's vaulted skies
To rest upon the branches
Of the disappointed pine.
" What radiant beauty, heavenly light
Has covered this poor tree!
The Christ Child, filled with happiness,
Stretched out His arms to me! "
And since, in happy memory
Of that first Christmas night,
We place upon the pine tree's boughs
A crown of shining light.