The next morning Smith and Santa hurried to the Reindeer Barn.

"You're not going to believe this Bruce, but you're just what we need," Santa exclaimed.

"I am? Santa, you're not making any sense. You've got the North Pole and Mrs. Claus and a Workshop, elves who can make toys, a magic sleigh, flying reindeer -I don't even have a Christmas tree! What can I do? Bruce asked.

"Bruce, we've been having our own troubles - with a sleigh that won't lift off the ground and now we've found the cure - you! Or, more precisely, your antlers. It's part of a magic mixture we found in the Appendix of Lost Wishes and Last Chances v.4. There are a few other options, but you're here and a Galapagos Tortoise isn't. So, as it turns out, you can save Christmas. I hope we can ask this favour," Santa said.

"We need moose antler, ground up and mixed with North Pole snow and the tears of an elf! And here you are, with a big rack of antlers about to fall off. They do shed each winter don't they?" Smith asked.

"You bet! This is terrific! I can do something for Christmas, for everybody!" Bruce beamed. "Everybody but Erno. Hey, wait a minute, now that I think about it, I can do something for Erno and the Christmas Concert too. Can you wait 'til after the Concert for the antlers?"

"Sure," Santa answered.

"Okay, then I better get going. I've got to ask the elves for their help," Bruce said mysteriously.

That evening was the annual Christmas Concert at the North Pole Community Centre. The North Pole choir, led by Mrs. Aliknak, sang a selection of Christmas carols which was followed by a number of solos and duets from the elves and other North Pole residents. The finale was Erno and Amber's duet - Oh Christmas Tree. The curtain opened on the two elves under a single spotlight. Their clear sweet voices began in unison and then suddenly another spotlight illuminated upstage left. There in the dazzling white light was a sight that not every Christmas Concert gets to see. It was Bruce the moose. His brown coat was a gleaming bronze in the spotlight, his head was proudly turned upward to display his dazzling antlers. And what dazzle! Dangling from each of his many multi-antler points were Christmas baubles, sparkling garland, twinkling lights, even Christmas cookies. He was a most spectacular Moose/Tree!

The audience gasped together. Amber and Erno slowly turned together to take in the sight. Keeping their voices raised in song, they smiled broadly at the most unusual Christmas tree. Bruce the moose, as still as a tree on a windless night, smiled back at the two elves as they saw what he had done to meet Erno's Christmas wish. It wasn't a Balsam Fir but it was a special Christmas tree - with a big heart!

When the curtain closed the audience was on its feet for a standing ovation of cheers and applause.

On Christmas Eve, after the elves had loaded Old Magic with toys for all the good boys and girls of the world, Santa climbed aboard. The magic of moose antler had worked - and the Christmas Eve ride was about to begin. The reindeer - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen, and Rudolph - were harnessed to the sleigh. Rudolph's nose shone brightly. Bruce Moose was also there - without his majestic crown of antlers - to wish Santa a safe and speedy journey.

As Santa's sleigh and his reindeer rose into a star-studded winter sky, Santa's voice echoed across the night, "Ho, ho, ho and Merry Christmas to All!"