I´m looking out of my window - right now it is snowing. The red roofs of the houses are almost completely white.

Last month we had heavy snow. One tree before my house lost a branch from the burden of wet snow. And last week I slipped on the way to the mall and had an ankle spained.

I love the place right at my window to the street. There is my desk and a heavy armchair I love to sit for a nap. In the warmer season the trees are beautiful. I live in a green town with lots of fine places to relax.

In a park next to me there are old and branchy oaks. I know a place in Germany with oaks a thousand years old. Sometimes I feel I could speak with some of these giants.

What might these old trees have seen in their long life! Summer, winter, Sun, rain, frost, wind, peace, war, night, day, emperors coming and going. They are exposed to the elements and it´s powers. Sone are in groups, others are lone fighters. Many old trees look windswept and knobby. In their resistance against the elements they have become strong leaving marks of life, death, survival and dignity.

In spring they get a green dress and are proud of it. Summer is the time of playing and flirting. Leaves singing in the wind and blossoms exhale scents of love and beauty and life. In fall trees prepare to change the set. In winter they look like being dead and reveal the beauty of their souls. They dive into the sleepy realm of which not everybody will survive.

Thus is the human too. He walks through green meadows and dry desert. He climbs hills and sits in desolate streams. He sees joy and he experiences fear. He has dresses and he is naked. And like the trees he looks windswept and knobby over the years. And then comes a time to die and to dry up. Then leaves never return. Maybe a tiny sprout, and then it´s gone.

Trees are very strong friends of humans. They tell them always a story of life, death, hope and transformation.

There is an ancient German christmas carol I love more and more the older I get. Here is a german haunting version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri7VeqNT-Aw

and here the english text:

Dear Mary journeys through the thorn
Kyrie eleison!
Dear Mary journeys through the thorn
that for sev'n long years no leaf hath borne
O Jesus and Mary.

What clasps she to her heart so near?
Kyrie eleison!
A tiny child from sin so clear
which to her heart she holds so near,
O Jesus and Mary.

Red roses flow’r on ev’ry stem,
Kyrie eleison!
As through the thorns He wanders then
Red roses flow’r on ev’ry stem,
O Jesus and Mary.

Now what, oh what shall be His name?
Kyrie eleison!
The Christ, the Christ, the very same,
Oh Chat, indeed, shall be His name,
O Jesus and Mary.

This sacred name who shall declare?
Kyrie eleison!
John Baptist shall that name declare
To those who ready are to hear,
O Jesus and Mary.

What christ'ning gifts for Him are there?
Kyrie eleison!
What things in heav'n and earth are dear,
Those things for Him are now brought here,
O Jesus and Mary.

Now who alone hath saved the world?
Kyrie eleison!
The Christ Child, He hath saved the world,
And from it Satan's sin hath hurled,
O Jesus and Mary.