The Christmas Rose
When the Magi laid their rich offerings of myrr,
frankincens, and gold by the bed of the sleeping
Christ Child, legend says that a shepherd maiden
stood outside the door quietly weeping.
She, too, had sought the Christ Child. She,too,
desired to bring him gifts. But she had nothing to
offer, for she was very poor indeed. In vain, she
had searched the countryside over for one little
flower to bring Him. But she could find neither
bloom nor leaf, for the winter had been cold.
And as she stood there weeping, an angel passing
saw her sorrow, and stooping, he brushed aside
the snow at her feet. And there sprang up on the
spot a cluster of beautiful winter roses--waxen
white with pink-tipped petals.
"Nor myrrh, nor frandincense, nor gold," said
the angel, "is offering more meant for the Christ
Child than these pure Christmas roses."
Joyfully, the shepherd maiden gathered the flowers
and made her offering to the Holy Child.
Author: Lizzie Deas
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