At the time when the Christ Child was born all the people, the
animals, and the trees, and plants were very happy. The Child was born
to bring peace and happiness to the whole world. People came daily to
see the little One, and they always brought gifts with them.

There were three trees standing near the crypt which saw the people,
and they wished that they, too, might give presents to the Christ
Child.

The Palm said: "I will choose my most beautiful leaf, and place it as
a fan over the Child."

"And I," said the Olive, "will sprinkle sweet-smelling oil upon His
head."

"What can I give to the Child?" asked the Fir, who stood near.

"You!" cried the others. "You have nothing to offer Him. Your needles
would prick Him, and your tears are sticky."

So the poor little Fir tree was very unhappy, and it said: "Yes, you
are right. I have nothing to offer the Christ Child."

Now, quite near the trees stood the Christmas Angel, who had heard all
that the trees had said. The Angel was sorry for the Fir tree who was
so lowly and without envy of the other trees. So, when it was dark,
and the stars came out, he begged a few of the little stars to come
down and rest upon the branches of the Fir tree. They did as the
Christmas Angel asked, and the Fir tree shone suddenly with a