“O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, much pleasure dost thou bring me.” I once read that Ernst Anschutz, the German composer who wrote the modern lyrics of “O Christmas Tree,” refered to the evergreen tree as a symbol of faithfulness. As a tree farmer in rural Muscatine County, I can appreciate Anschutz metaphor of the pine tree. Pine trees shining green in the bleakness of winter remind us of life, growth, and that even though all the other trees of the forest bare dead leaves or no leaves at all, the forest is still alive. Even though we have a lot of pines on my farm, we don’t sell Christmas trees. Regardless, I still love the tradition of people using pine trees, taking center stage in homes everywhere while we celebrate the season of giving.

One of the reasons I love planting trees is because trees give back. Trees give us life. They breath in harmful gases, like carbon dioxide, and breath out the very oxygen we breath. Trees can give the gift of warmth. If the weatherman is right, by the time you are reading this we will have received the first major snowstorm of the year. Besides stocking up enough food for the weekend, I brought inside enough firewood to enjoy several warm fires in the fireplace. I love relaxing by a toasty fire during a snowstorm.

As I look up at my Christmas tree, I am reminded by the homemade ornaments hanging that my mom and grandma made, of the gift of love. The homemade ornaments are my favorite. Did you know that a tree can give loving ornaments? Pine trees drop unique cones that can be used to make beautiful ornaments. It is fun and easy to decorate pinecone ornaments. If you have never made pinecone ornaments, you must create your own unique ornaments. Be creative using paints, different mediums, and the love of the Christmas tree and nature that we share!

Also, during the season, don’t forget to add peanut butter and bird seed to pine cones for our feathered friends outside on these cold winter days.

During this season of love, let the pines remind us of faithfulness, life, warmth, and enjoyment. “O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, much pleasure dost thou bring me!”