The Purple Spring Crocus - a Christmas Story

Early Christmas morning I glanced outside, and no snow was falling, and suddenly a vision of a luminous light with a trembling child appeared in sight... and could this have been the Infant of prophecy and might? And He softly said with the sweetest and kindest voice, "I bring you no snow but endless love...the warmest flame that makes every forsaken and unhappy heart rejoice; it's a gift so gladly given to all the believers of this blessed age." Struck by that splendid appearance, unafraid, I ran to thank him for those wonderful words,; and not having seen any gift under the decorated spruce, I seemed puzzled, but not fearful or nearly surprised. There it stood, my gift from that generous child with golden, curly hair: a purple spring crocus never seen before, an Alpine flower which grows in early April in every emerald meadow... I leaned forward with much gentleness and plucked it from the cold snow. When I stood up, he was gone and not a trace of him could be found, and who was that cherub without wings...to leave that flower in the bitter cold? Wasn't He the Christ Child who was born in a Bethlehem's abandoned stable? And wasn't hope the meaning of the purple spring crocus so beautiful?