The Pilgrims' First Christmas

Mary and John walked down the dim aisles of the forest. They found many pure little brooks and drank the fresh water with delight. They built a fire to signal to the Mayflower that all was right. Mary ran from one tree to another, recognizing them as old friends. “Look, John, it is holly, like our own and yet not like it; and cedar and, oh, John, here is the ground-pine, our own ground-pine, trailing its garlands over the ground! And walnut trees, full of nuts, and great store of strawberry and grape vines.” Mary’s face glowed with a sudden thought.