The Christmas Tree by Julie Salamon

 

Summary (from the publisher): The Christmas Tree is the tale of a little girl named Anna, who is orphaned and sent to live in a convent. The lonely girl befriends, as only a child can, a tiny fir tree. Anna and Tree, as she calls him, grow up together, unlocking the secrets of friendship and sharing the wonders of nature. It is this same profound appreciation and love of nature that the grown-up Anna, now Sister Anthony, passes on to her students.

When Tree is threatened by a winter storm, Sister Anthony, by now an old woman, decides to give up her dearest friend, allowing him to become the most enjoyed and famous tree of all: the tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

A perennial holiday favorite, The Christmas Tree is about learning to love and, ultimately, being able to share that love with others.

Review: Our narrator works for Rockefeller Center as head gardener. One of his most challenging tasks each year is tracking down the live tree that will be brought into the city as the official Christmas tree. One year on his search, he finds an ideal tree located on a great estate that is now used as a convent. But the tree is greatly beloved by Sister Anthony. She tells him the story of how she came to the convent as an orphaned little girl and grew up together with the tree. Sister Anthony has a profound appreciation for nature and deep love for Tree, but when a winter storm threatens Tree, Sister Anthony makes the sacrifice to give him up to be the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center in New York City. 

What a lovely Christmas story. Like many, I grew up watching footage of the Rockefeller tree being driven into the city and watching the tree lighting ceremony so I think many could relate to this behind-the-scenes story of the man who works to find the tree each year. Anna's story was an added bonus. What a beautiful story of a lonely orphan who finds meaning, connection, and spiritual shelter in the tree behind the convent where she finds herself. 

I have to say, knowing a huge, old tree is chopped down every year to be the official tree in Rockefeller Center has always made me sad. Of course, it looks beautiful and is seen by thousands both in person and on tv, but there is something very sad about it to me. This story added a new level of heartbreak to that feeling, because you can sense how much Sister Anthony cares for Tree. However, seeing her rationale that the tree could fall in a storm and not be enjoyed by anyone or serve a higher purpose, helped put it in perspective. Additionally, Sister Anthony's selfless love and how she shares her knowledge and wisdom with those in the book, helped give Tree's life added meaning and purpose. 

On a personal note, my father gave me a copy of this book that originally belonged to my grandfather who passed away in December 2014. Inside the front cover, he wrote his name, the year he read it, and his review: "Good book." He didn't read much, but reading this book that he did read made me feel close to him. And I agree, it is a good book. 

Stars: 4