Chapter 1
On a cold winter night, as the sun went down
The Christmas season came to life in a cozy little town…
’Twas the night before Christmas and in final preparation,
Families gathered in their homes to hang their remaining decorations.
At the Fisher’s house, Mom and Dad had one last ornament to display:
a new ornament for their tree, to celebrate their baby's first Christmas day.
Baby Charlie was born that year, and in commemoration
Mom hung “Baby’s First Christmas” – and they welled with adoration!
With this last ornament placed to complete their tree,
the Fishers headed upstairs to tuck-in their sleepy new baby…
As the lights when out, and they headed off to bed,
Baby’s First Christmas lifted his tiny, little head…
Baby’s eyes opened; slowly, then wide...
He looked around, amazed at the tree and the stories hanging inside!
In every direction – from above, below, left and right,
ornaments of all shapes and sizes talked, laughed, and squealed with delight!
They all knew each other, and some quite well.
They’d been on this tree for years – and had stories to tell!
He met Papa Christmas first: a very wise & old man.
He was from a Christmas long ago; an old Santa on a stand!
There were the Newlyweds: a young couple, twirling around.
They celebrated marriage; he in a suit and her in a gown.
There were the Maracas: twins, who shook and danced out a song.
They celebrated a vacation. Their branch must be very strong!
There was a Barbie ornament with her mirror, much too vain.
She rolled her eyes at those dancing Maracas, in clear disdain.
“Um, hello?” whispered Baby, trying to get someone’s attention.
“Why, hey there sonny boy!”, Papa said, with a cheery disposition.
“Welcome to the Christmas Tree! We are so glad that you’re here!
You are a part of our family now – a celebration of THIS year!”
Baby was amazed and really quite excited!
What a fun place to be. He was more than delighted!
“Take a look around,” Papa said, showing Baby the way.
“We’re each a special memory; placed here to stay.”
“But one word of caution," the Newlyweds offered, with care.
"Don’t jump around too much – you may end up down there!”
“What’s down there, if I may ask?”
Baby wondered at his request.
“If you fall off the tree," replied Barbie, "you will break or crack.
Then Mom and Dad will hang you up in the back!”
The Newlywed warned, “The back is scary – it’s always so dark!
Everything’s broken and falling apart.”
“Yeah!” said the Maracas, “You don’t want to fall…
Those amigos in back are muy muy mal!”
Then Barbie said, “I wouldn’t be caught dead getting stuck in the back!
I’m too valuable a memory – they’d never do that!”
In chimed Papa, “So just remember, as you’re exploring our tree,
Be mindful of your step. We all agree!”
“Who’s that?!” Baby asked Papa, looking up and trying not to fall.
“That’s the Great Star." Papa replied. "It watches over us all!”
“If you ever aren’t sure if you wandered too far,
Look up and you’ll be guided by our shining star.”
Papa’s final advice for the night, “Don’t explore too late!
You’ll need to get back to your spot, before the Fishers awake!”
As the night continued, Baby was ready to explore!
A new home and new friends – he wanted to meet more!
He met a drum and a trumpet, each from Dad’s youth.
Even a little log cabin with a green tin roof!
From branch to branch, he hopped and played.
But he wasn’t being careful, the further he strayed….
One misstep and what he feared came true!
He missed the next branch, and down he flew!
Right through the tree, with a tumble and flop!
He hit the ground hard, a few feet from his spot.
Stunned, he looked around, not sure what to do!
The tree was too high – he could never reach it, he knew.
Just in that moment, Dad came stomping down the stairs.
The ornaments went quiet… and Baby was scared!
Dad walked over to Baby. “He little guy! Did you fall off the tree?
I hope you didn’t break, but it’s too dark to see.”
“Here - I'll hang you up. I hope you can stay on this hook...
In the morning, I'll take a closer look.”
So he hung the Baby Ornament right in the back!
In the darkest part of the tree – where everything was cracked…
Once he was gone, around Baby things stirred….
Baby was afraid, after the stories he’d heard.
“Hellllooo??” whispered Baby, very timid and shy.
“Why hey there!” smiled an Angel. “What are you doing here, little guy?”
“I’m new to the tree and I fell off my branch,” he said.
The angel just listened and nodded her head.
“I’ve heard you guys are scary back here and I admit, I’m afraid.
But you seem pretty nice” he said, as he nervously swayed.
“I’m sure those ornaments warned you to be cautious.
Especially Barbie; the thought of being broken makes her nauseous!”
“But look around little Baby! We’re still ornaments, you see.
I’ll bet you’ll make friends back here, starting with me!”
As Baby looked around, sure enough, she was right!
There was absolutely nothing scary in sight!
A few broken lights and a missing branch or two,
But LOTS of new friends – and some were young, too!
He saw a baseball player, a ballerina, an elf…
Even a little teddy bear sitting on a shelf!
“Why you’re right, Angel! I’m so sorry for my worry.
I didn’t know what to expect. I just believed their story.”
“The night is getting late, so if you want to be home before day,
look up to the star. It will show you the way.”
Baby looked up and sure enough, he could see!
The star was shining brightly in reflections from the front of the tree.
So away he went, back toward the front.
Jumping through the branches was quite a stunt!
As his path took him higher, the ornaments moved so fast!
He had to move quickly if he wanted to get past.
Their accents seemed thick and they didn’t have much patience,
For a new guy from the south who was slower in cadence.
His path opened up, as he jumped lower.
The ornaments toward the bottom seemed to move much slower.
“Hey Yall! Look who’s here!
It’s a new baby ornament!” yelled a tiny reindeer.
“He’s so cute, let’s ask him to stay!”
“No thanks”, Baby replied. “I must be on my way!”
Further around the tree he went.
Up, down and around. He was spent!
Finally, just as morning started to dawn,
Baby spotted Papa and his white hair of yarn.
“Papa, I’m back!” cried Baby. “I found my way home!”
“You wouldn’t believe all the places I’ve roamed!”
“When I fell down, Dad found me and thought I was cracked!
He picked me up and put me straight in the back!
At first I was afraid, just like you said I would be.
But the ornaments there are just like us, and very friendly!"
Even though they looked different, they were all still so kind.
And that’s the most important thing in a friend you can find!
“Wow,” said Papa. “You’ve come a long way!”
“I want to hear about your adventure, but let’s save it for another day!”
And with his words, the morning sun rose.
The Fishers came downstairs, and the ornaments froze.
“What a beautiful tree,” Dad said.
“I agree,” replied Mom, nodding her head.
“And our new little ornament," Dad noticed. "Look how perfectly he fits.”
“I could’ve sworn I moved him last night, but there he sits.”
And off the day started, with bustle and cheer…
A Christmas full of love, and memories for another year.
