Pope to mark Fatima centenary with May 2017 trip to Portugal

You know, Lord, sometimes one finds interesting “things” while looking through a stack of papers. Up popped this interesting “story,” which follows:

            Flower of the Holy Night Originating in Mexico, the poinsettia brings us a delightful legend telling of a small Mexican girl name Pepita. One Christmas Eve, Pepita was very sad. She wanted so much to present a gift to the Christ child at the evening church service, but Pepita was poor. She had no gift.

Her cousin Pedro tried to console her as they walked to the church. “Pepita,” he said, “I am sure that even the most humble gift, given in love, will be appreciable in His eyes.”

Pepita gathered a bouquet of common weeds from the roadside and entered the church. Approaching the altar, she forgot the humbleness of her gift as she placed it tenderly at the feet of the Christ child. A miracle happened! Pepita’s weeds bust into brilliant bloom. The amazed worshippers called them “Flores de Noche Buene” or “Flowers of the Holy Night.” We call this favorite flower of the holiday season the poinsettia.

John 11:40: “Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that, if you would believe, you would see the glory of God?”

From another pile of papers:

“WHAT SHALL I GIVE FOR CHRISTMAS?”

A LISTENING EAR to the friend with heartache.

A THANK-YOU to the tired salesperson who serves you.

A TIME TO READ to the sightless.

A WARM HANDSHAKE to a new church member.

AN ACT OF KINDNESS to a shut-in.

A CHERRY GREETING to one who is ill.

A WRITTEN MESSAGE to a lonely one.

A SMILE to the elderly person who is struggling to walk.

How simple our Christmas shopping can be this year — and every year — when we give gifts of the heart.

Thank You for Your word, Lord, which brings hope and redemption and through the despondencies of life says, You love me!

Love, Mara