From the archives of Oral Roberts – Second of four parts
Years passed, and the three little trees grew tall and strong. Their boughs reached out, covered with leaves, changing colors with the seasons, and they were beautiful to behold.
One day the foresters came and cut down the first tree. That tree was shivering with delight because he said, “At last I’m going to be made into a baby’s bed.” But to his dismay, when they chopped it down and began to fashion it into its future form, they made it into a manger, an animal trough, a place where animals come to feed. And they hauled it away to a stable in a little town called Bethlehem.
The little manger began to cry. It sobbed and said, “O God, I never thought my life would come to this. I’ve never liked animals. I wanted to be made into a baby’s bed.”
And the Lord who loves trees said, “Patience, My child. Wait. I’m going to do something.” And He did.
One day a couple – Joseph and Mary – came to the stable because there was no room for them in the inn. There the Virgin Mary brought forth her firstborn child, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger.
The angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds abiding in the fields and told them about the child. The shepherds left their flocks, found the stable and the manger, looked into the face of that baby, and saw the face of God. Suddenly, the heavenly host filled the sky and began to sing, “Glory to God in the highest. Peace on earth, good will toward men.”
The little manger said, “O God, I’m sorry that I complained. I didn’t know that I would get to hold Your only Son. Your planning is better than all of mine!”
And all of the trees in the field began to clap their hands for their brother who had become part of a great miracle.
