573- Saint Mary’s Dream

On the beginning of December, Maggie noticed that her little daughter was sitting all the day in her room on her chair thinking as if there was a serious matter going on worrying her. In the evening, Maggie went to her daughter’s room and played with her. Then, they prayed together. Afterwards, the daughter waited to listen to the evening story from her mother.

Maggie smilingly asked her little daughter, “What was disturbing you all the day?”

“Christmas is so near and I need to present a gift to my young brother. I don’t know what to buy him for Christmas.”

The mother discussed the matter with her daughter and decided to buy a toy for her brother. Hence, the mother began to narrate the following story:

One day Saint Mary woke up and after praying, she stood before her amazing Baby to praise Him while looking to Joseph and saying, “Yesterday, I was thinking about the astonishing incidents that we’re living in. we aren’t worthy to have such a Baby among us. Not only heaven but also the Lord of Heaven promised us of Him by His angel Gabriel; a troop of angels brought good news to the shepherds and the wise men came from the Far-east to kneel and worship Him. I’m really confused before this amazing Baby who was born extraordinarily.

Yesterday, I saw a dream and didn’t understand it well. I saw people from many countries getting ready to celebrate the Baby’s birthday throughout six weeks. They had already decorated their houses, streets and warehouses with exaggerated decorations. Moreover, the markets were crowded with people who want to buy gifts for each other. They wrapped their gifts with wonderful and colored covers. All people had put a tree whether natural or artificial in their houses. Every person offers his gifts to his relatives to put under the tree until the birthday party of the Baby.

The people decorated the trees with lights, beautiful colored ribbons and statues of angels. All people are busy and worrying about the presents but forgot the Baby Himself. They did not present Him anything nor even mention His name. I think they know nothing about Him; however, some of them laugh at those who utter His name. Isn’t this an amazing thing? All those people from all countries have come to celebrate a birthday for a person they do not want even to hear anything about, is it ordinary? I felt that if my Son visited one of these houses, no one would open to Him and would consider this an intervention into his own affairs.

Although everything seems beautiful and attractive, there are many people reject the Baby’s presence in His birthday. I thank God that it was just a dream; I wish it wouldn’t come true.

While the little daughter was listening to such a story, she said to her mother, “Oh mum, I saddened my Jesus’ heart. What should I do for Him to let my Dad Jesus Christ attend His Birthday party? Which present should I give?”

Mum kept silent for a moment then told her to present the gift to Dad Jesus first, then to present her gift for her young brother.

“How come?”

“What you are doing to a poor person, a patient or a prisoner you do this for Him, as He said before, “The King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” (Matt. 25.40).

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: حلم القديسة مريم.

Lord! May You enter in my heart,

And implant the cross in the bottom of my heart.

Accept my gift which I offer to you to the needy hands

To meet You and celebrate your birthday.

Grant me to delight the suffering and the needy

And to delight you oh Lord. You are amazing in your love.

Long The Stone Cutter

Short Stories (Stories for the Youth) Books by Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty

The Poor Rabbit and an Evil Friend