It's Christmas Eve 722, and Kristoph, a young orphan boy, is accompanying the missionary priest Boniface through the German countryside. They are hurrying to reach the next village by nightfall when they come upon a group of people in the forest worshiping an oak tree and preparing to sacrifice the son of the village chieftain. To prove that the oak is powerless and that there is only One True God, Boniface miraculously fells the giant tree with a single ax stroke. In its place stands an evergreen. Calling it "the tree of the Christ Child," he instructs the men to mend their lives and take the tree home where it will shelter "loving gifts and lights of kindness." Now rescued, the son of the village chieftain invites Boniface and Kristoph to share Christmas with his family . . . around another evergreen that Kristoph cuts down for their own celebration.

"The littlest fir tree" in the hills near Bethlehem learns the true significance of Christmas and becomes "the first Christmas tree."

Winfried and Gregor convert the followers of Thor, the tree god, to Christianity after they attempt to prevent a human sacrifice.

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This elegant little hardcover gift book features two unabridged holiday tales written by a 19th-century American clergyman. These classic seasonal fables abound in the Yuletide traditions of generosity and friendship — perfect sentiments for a gift book!