Nov 26, 2010
Rose Valley, Cameron Highlands ...
The Legend of the Christmas Rose ...
The Legend of the Christmas Rose speaks of a a little shepherd girl named Madelon
near the little town of Bethlehem, Madelon, tended her father's flocks by night.
While she shivered on one bitter cold night,
she heard angels singing a glorious song.
They brought glad tidings of a newborn king in Bethlehem,
she despaired that she had no gift
to bring, for Madelon was poor indeed.
As she walked toward the spot where the infant lay,
she looked for a flower to bring as her offering.
Of course, she knew that flowers do not grow in snow and ice
where the cold winds blows.
Her heart broke and she felt sad and forlorn.
As she wept, an angel singing praises took pity on her.
He swept away the snow near her feet on the frost-rimed ground.
She marveled as each of her tears turned into a new flower
when it fell to the ground.
The angel spoke and told her that this flower made the best gift
because her love created it.
The Legend of the Christmas Rose also has some foundation in this 15th Century poem:
A Rose has sprung from a tender root,
From Jesus, as those of old have sung,
And it bore a flower,
In the middle of a cold winter,
When half spent was the night.
Isaiah foretold it, the Rose I have in mind;
Is Mary the pure, the little flower has brought us.
From God's eternal wisdom, she bore a child,
And remained pure.
The Flower, so small, whose sweet fragrance fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere;
True man and truer God, helps us out of all sorrows,
Saves from sin and death.
Oh Jesus, until we leave this misery,
Let your help guide us into joy,
In Your Father's Kingdom, where we eternally praise You.
Oh God, allow us this.
Translated from the early 15th century German poem
"Es ist ein Ros' Entsprungen." Author unknown.
Merry Christmas ...
