When the Magi laid their rich offerings of myrrh, frankincense, 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 frankincense, nor gold," said the angel,
"is offering more meet for the Christ Child than these pure
Christmas Roses."
Joyfully
the shepherd maiden gathered the flowers and made her offering to
the Holy Child.
THE END