[nipperwolf]

One particular Christmas season a long time ago, Santa was getting ready
for his annual trip, but there were problems everywhere. Four of his elves
got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the
regular ones, so Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind
schedule.

Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her Mom was coming to visit. This stressed
Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were
about to give birth, and two had jumped the fence and were out - Heaven
knows where!

More stress. Then, when he began to load the sleigh, one of the boards
cracked, and the toy bag fell to the ground and scattered the toys. So,
frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot
of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered that the elves had
hidden the liquor, and there was nothing to drink.

In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider pot, and it broke
into hundreds of pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the
broom and found that mice had eaten the straw end of the broom. Just then,
the doorbell rang, and irritable Santa trudged to the door. He opened the
door, and there was a cute little angel, with a big Christmas tree.

The angel said - very cheerfully - "Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't it a
lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to
stick it?"

Thus began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree!