The Christmas Rose
An Advent Story Calendar
Day Seventeen
Don’t imagine, dear friends, that God’s timetable is the same as ours; as the psalm says, for with the Lord, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day. Now the Lord is not slow about enacting His promise—slow is how some people want to characterize it—no, He is not slow but patient and merciful to you, not wanting anyone to be destroyed, but wanting everyone to turn away from following his own path and to turn toward God’s. 1 Peter 3:8-9
Joe looked at the clock ticking away on the kitchen wall, “It’s time for you to be getting home, Dora.”
“But we didn’t feed the roses and you didn’t finish the story.”
“Both will wait until tomorrow. The roses are settling down for the night and I will be soon. Bedtime comes early when you get to be my age.”
“My bedtime is 8:30,” said Dora. “My brothers get to stay up until 9:00. It’s not fair.”
“No, it’s not. You’ll be half an hour better rested than they are tomorrow morning and ready to do your Arctic Animal project. What animal did you pick?”
“My group picked puffins. Do you know that they are called the clowns of the sea? I think it’s because their beaks make them look like they have clown makeup on.”
“Maybe looking at them makes people laugh,” suggested Joe.
“Maybe,” said Dora. “People do like animals that make them laugh, like kittens, puppies, monkeys, dolphins …”
“Before that list gets too long, I suggest you head home. We’ll finish the story tomorrow.”
Pushing in her chair and heading to the door, Dora said, “I just know that Madelon made Jesus laugh: Madelon and the Christmas roses.”
Rose History: A wreath of roses in history represented pure joy and the hope that comes with perseverance. Christians in Europe began the tradition of placing candles in a wreath for Advent. A circle has no beginning or end, so the wreath represents continuous life, the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the eternal life we find in Christ.
Rose Hues: Deep pink roses signify appreciation and gratitude.
Prayer: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. We thank you, O Savior, for eternal life in your love. Amen
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