Oh Christmas Tree

Well we all know that the Christmas rush is on. Merchants everywhere have been putting up displays since before Halloween. I like many others that I have spoken with deem that the start occurs earlier every year.

When I was a boy, you did not even start thinking about Christmas until after Thanksgiving. It is my opinion that society has totally lost touch with not only the true meaning behind Christmas. But, also the excitement and surprises that made the joyous occasion even more special.

However, the other day I heard of a touching story about the Christmas tree that has been selected to be on display in the Rockefeller Center for 2008. It goes to show how one woman’s faith can keep a dream alive and eventually become a reality.

Story courtesy of: www.Gothamist.com

The Star-Ledger reports that it was first Mary and Joseph Varanyak's Christmas tree in 1931; the couple then planted the live tree (it was in a pot) outside their home. Their son Bob Varanyak said his mother, who passed away a few years ago, had dreamed of this honor, "She always said this tree will be in Rockefeller Center. If it was going to be cut down, it was going to be because it was going to Rockefeller Center." His twin brother Bill added, "She would go out and put manure around it. She said it would one day be in New York, and later on when she got older, I took care of it. We were always worried, as it grew taller and taller, it would get knocked down in a storm or something."



So, even though Christmas decorations, displays and shoppers start way, way too early each and every year it's nice to know that faith is not dead.