Now on the cold winter night when Jesus was born, the shepherds were not the only ones on the hillside tending their flocks. A young shepherdess, called Madelon heard what the Angel told the shepherds.
Hearing the news, the young girl’s heart became full of love and devotion and filled with faith. At a distance she followed the Angel, the Magi and the shepherds to the stable where Jesus lay in the manger, cared for by Mary and Joseph.
She watched as they entered the stable and the Magi laid their wonderful gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense before the baby Jesus. She watched as the shepherds gave their gifts of honey, fruit and snow-white doves. Realizing she had nothing to give, she rushed back to the hillside to try and find flowers that she could lay before him.
Finding none on the snow-covered hillside, she became full of shame and despair and began crying. As she cried, her tears fell to her face onto the snowy ground around her. Seeing this from on high, the Angel came down and touched the ground, and a bush of the most beautiful winter roses sprang forth at her feet.
The Angel told her, “No gold, no frankincense, no myrrh, is as precious, or as fitting a gift for the Prince of Peace as these pure blooms that are born from the pure tears of love, faith and devotion.”
I love this legend. I remember, many years ago, I bought my mother a gold Christmas rose. My mom wore it on her coat every year for Christmas and loved that brooch even though I didn’t spend a great deal.
Mom said, “It isn’t the cost of the gift it is the love with which the gift is given.”
When my mother passed away, I inherited that rose that I bought her many years ago. I haven’t had the heart to wear it until this year. The reason is that I now feel I can wear it without feeling sad.
For me, this was a sign to wear that rose with love, devotion and faith. Now on the cold winter night when Jesus was born, the shepherds were not the only ones on the hillside tending their flocks. A young shepherdess, called Madelon heard what the Angel told the shepherds.
Hearing the news, the young girl’s heart became full of love and devotion and filled with faith. At a distance she followed the Angel, the Magi and the shepherds to the stable where Jesus lay in the manger, cared for by Mary and Joseph.
She watched as they entered the stable and the Magi laid their wonderful gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense before the baby Jesus. She watched as the shepherds gave their gifts of honey, fruit and snow-white doves. Realizing she had nothing to give she rushed back to the hillside to try and find flowers that she could lay before him.
Finding none on the snow-covered hillside she became full of shame and despair and began crying. As she cried her tears fell down her face onto the snowy ground around her. Seeing this from on high the Angel came down and touched the ground and a bush of the most beautiful winter roses sprang forth at her feet.
The Angel told her, “No gold, no frankincense, no myrrh, is as precious, or as fitting a gift for the Prince of Peace as these pure blooms that are born from the pure tears of love, faith and devotion.”
I love this legend. Many years ago, I bought my mother a gold Christmas rose with the legend enclosed in the box. My mom wore it on her coat every year for Christmas and loved that brooch even though I didn’t spend a great deal.
My mom, said, “It isn’t the cost of the gift, it is the love with which the gift is given.”
When my mother passed away, I now became the recipient of that rose that I bought her so many years ago. I haven’t had the heart to wear it until this year. The reason is that I now feel I can wear it without feeling sad and I did receive a card with this legend on it.
I guess it is a sign for me and I will gladly wear that rose with love, devotion and faith.
As we come upon the Christmas season, I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. May you and yours have a wonderful 2022 and may you be blessed with the love of Jesus our Saviour.
As we come upon the Christmas season, I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. May you and yours have a wonderful 2022 and may you be blessed with the love of Jesus our Saviour.
Blessings,
Rev. Lorie
