Submitted by Squeak

A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-
 Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly
 parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they
 had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge
 pine, which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years the
 tree had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a
 landmark in the countryside. The young siblings had fond memories
 of their childhood here, but the city hustle and bustle added more
 excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different life.

 The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had
 taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty
 mornings was getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get up in
 the mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each
 year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and
 contentment at day's end.

 Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the
 old folks "Why do you not at least dispose of  The Old One." She
 is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals
 from her. You should cut corners and save so you can have more for
 yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but
 expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?"

 The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes,
 scuffed at the barn floor and replied, " Yes, I could use a pair of
 new boots. His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he
 drew her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her
 ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing
 else, just love."

 Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his
 wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness
 stole through the valley. The old couple shook their heads in
 sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their
 cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand the
 peace of the love that filled their hearts?

 So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed
 the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn.
 None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One".

 In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry
 flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror
 and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he
 raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were
 roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing
 to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury. His wife back from
 calling for help cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other,
 they wept at their loss.

 By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing
 ruins were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their
 grief, huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as
 they rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to
 the firemen as there was nothing anyone could do now. The old man
 turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as
 his shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red
 bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has
 spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us gather strength
 and climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in
 times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks
 to God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most
 precious gifts that have been taken from us.

 And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy
 hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and
 withered hand.

 The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep
 snow. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the
 hill, they paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill the
 old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the
 incredible beauty before them.

 Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught
 up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine,
 and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most
 bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had
 a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They were
 breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.

 Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy.
 Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her
 forward. There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist
 hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their Christmas
 gift. Shadows glistening in the night light.

 Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was
 the entire herd, safe.

 At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her
 muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great
 dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping
 cautiously through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed
 about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry
 flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips
 and hopped like rabbits. The mares that were in foal with a new
 years crop of babies, pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she
 moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now,
 she lay among them and gazed at the faces of the old man and his
 wife. Those she loved she had not disappointed. Her body was
 brittle with years, tired from the climb, but the golden eyes were
 filled with devotion as she offered her gift---

 Because of love. Only Because of love.

 Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy... And
 again the peace of love filled their hearts.