BY Carol Hanks

Isn't it beautiful‑the Christmas tree, I mean? Every year it seems to grow prettier. I will have lived with the McKay family five years this Christmas, but I can still remember the day they brought me home. I had never seen a Christmas tree before, so it was quite a pleasant surprise. There it stood velvety green with multicolored lights forming an endless procession. Up and up they went until only one bulb was left which stood all alone at the top. Silver icicles were manifold and dropped from every branch. The ornaments were in abundance. Some were striped while others were spotted or just plain. Of course, the most beautiful were those which pictured Mary and the Christ child. At the base of the tree stood the nativity scene. It glowed with holiness and whispered of peace and tranquility.

This peaceful scene was not to last long, though, for at this moment into the room walked the three McKay boys. I guess in a way they were rather "cute." I recall how happy little Gary, who was only two at the time, was to get that shiny, red sled that Santa brought him. Mickey was five and completely satisfied, for a while anyway, with the racer bike from Uncle Oscar. David, the oldest, finally got the chemistry set that he had wanted for so long.

My! How the boys have changed. Tonight David is taking Lynne to the Christmas formal at school. Mickey will probably be watching television at Freddie's house. Poor Gary! He will be doing his second grade homework until about ten o'clock.

Oh! Here comes Mr. McKay. This the moment I have been waiting for. He is putting his hands gently around my waist. Now he is lifting me to the top of the tree. There, now I am in place. I love being the angel that guards the McKay family from the top of their Christmas tree.