Fragrant Plant Water
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series III, Cycle C
When Peter was four years old, his mother received a very special present: a costly bottle of perfume from Paris. Her friend had sent it registered mail to her from Holland in time for Christmas. Peter, his dad, brother, and sisters also got lots of individually-wrapped packages in the big box. It had been seven years since the family had moved from The Hague and gifts from their homeland were always cause for celebration.
The presents had been opened and everyone was playing with their new toys or trying on their new clothes. Connie got a pink sweater; Ingrid a blue one. Dolls and candy were also in the box for them. Patty's gift was a new outfit and hair ribbons. Erik loved his drawing paper, colored pencils, and art books. Peter's dad got a beautiful shirt and tie.
But no one was as happy as Peter's mom. She put a little perfume behind her ear and on her wrists and carefully set the bottle on the table before going into the kitchen to make the holiday meal.
The holiday meal was turkey, rice, vegetables, and stewed fruit. The food smelled delicious and the girls set the table with crystal goblets and fancy napkins. Dad got out the silver, and Erik helped bring the food to the table. But where was Peter?
Suddenly, everyone smelled something else over the aroma of the turkey. A fragrance floated over the dining room. It was sweet and flowery yet heavy. It smelled like Mom's new perfume!
Peter held up an empty bottle of perfume and an empty coffee cup. He was excited -- he had watered his mother's beautiful red poinsettia. His sisters groaned, his brother laughed, his father couldn't believe it. Peter's mother sat down.
"Thank you, Peter. That was a nice thought. Let's all go sit down and have dinner," was all she could say. She ate dinner quietly while everyone reviewed their new presents. This Christmas was extra special because of the box. After dinner, the table was cleaned and the kitchen was cleared. Before going to sing carols around the piano, Peter's mother took the beautiful perfume bottle, filled it with water, put a small poinsettia leaf in it, and set it on the coffee table.
Indeed, this was a special Christmas.
The presents had been opened and everyone was playing with their new toys or trying on their new clothes. Connie got a pink sweater; Ingrid a blue one. Dolls and candy were also in the box for them. Patty's gift was a new outfit and hair ribbons. Erik loved his drawing paper, colored pencils, and art books. Peter's dad got a beautiful shirt and tie.
But no one was as happy as Peter's mom. She put a little perfume behind her ear and on her wrists and carefully set the bottle on the table before going into the kitchen to make the holiday meal.
The holiday meal was turkey, rice, vegetables, and stewed fruit. The food smelled delicious and the girls set the table with crystal goblets and fancy napkins. Dad got out the silver, and Erik helped bring the food to the table. But where was Peter?
Suddenly, everyone smelled something else over the aroma of the turkey. A fragrance floated over the dining room. It was sweet and flowery yet heavy. It smelled like Mom's new perfume!
Peter held up an empty bottle of perfume and an empty coffee cup. He was excited -- he had watered his mother's beautiful red poinsettia. His sisters groaned, his brother laughed, his father couldn't believe it. Peter's mother sat down.
"Thank you, Peter. That was a nice thought. Let's all go sit down and have dinner," was all she could say. She ate dinner quietly while everyone reviewed their new presents. This Christmas was extra special because of the box. After dinner, the table was cleaned and the kitchen was cleared. Before going to sing carols around the piano, Peter's mother took the beautiful perfume bottle, filled it with water, put a small poinsettia leaf in it, and set it on the coffee table.
Indeed, this was a special Christmas.
