Father Time cleared his voice,
"Listen well", we heard him state . . .
"Mother Nature plant those seeds now,
it's important this cannot wait" ~

Gently came her tender response
"Soil and sun, clouds well prepare . . .
grow the trees let's work together,
sunshine and rain and fervent prayer" ~

Grew the trees through passing seasons,
weeks and months becoming years . . .
came the time for which they'd laboured
woodsman hew with ax and shears ~

A carpenter, the innkeeper employed,
"Build a stable", was his command . . .
"Form a manger, fill it with hay,
build it soundly, strong and grand" ~

Father Time and Mother Nature
smiled as angel's sang along . . .
to Mary's lullaby for sweet Jesus,
shepherds rejoiced with joyful throng ~

Winter ~ spring ~ summer ~ fall,
season to season the Christ Child grew . . .
learning carpentry from Joseph,
carving trees not a few ~

John the Baptist saw The Spirit
descend upon Jesus of Galilee . . .
"My precious Son", proclaimed The Father,
"I am very pleased with Thee" ~

Father Time and Mother Nature
obeyed each thought and Word He said . . .
calmed the storms, healed the sick,
set captives free, e'en raised the dead ~

"The Other Tree joined Jesus weeping
in The Garden of Gethsemane . . .
"Let this bitter cup pass, Father, yet,
YOUR will be done, I'll drink for Thee" ~

"OH, NOT THAT CROSS, please choose another",
"The Other Tree" cried out in vain . . .
"What cruelty to crucify Him,
The Lamb of God suffer such pain" ~

"The Other Tree" protesting loudly,
shook the earth, each limb it tossed . . .
rebelling 'gainst the ax and woodsmen,
in sorrow it became The Cross ~

Borne upon the back of Jesus
up Calvary's hill, torments endured . . .
one tree became The Baby's manger,
by "The Other", Salvation was assured ~

One tree of Joy that cradled Jesus
who conquered death to set us free . . .
paid our sin~debt with His own blood,
Mercy's Cross ~ "THE OTHER TREE" !!!

Mary Carter Mizrany
February 21, 2005
Copyrighted. All rights reserved.

All poems listed in

"I WILL  GLORY IN THE CROSS",
written by  Dottie Rambo
sung by  Dottie  Rambo and  Barbara  Mandrell.