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Merry Christmas - Joyeux Noël
Alamizwidahômgwad Nibôiyamihômek
8ririt Nibañaïamihañn
People had prepared for it for about six weeks. They had decorated their homes and had purchased new clothes. They had gone to many stores to shop and to buy all sorts of presents. What was strange, however, was that not one of the presents was for our Son. The people had wrapped the gifts in beautiful wrapping paper, had tied pretty ribbon around the boxes and had placed these gifts under a tree. Yes, Joseph, a tree, right in their home.
They had also decorated the tree. The branches were filled with shiny balls and sparkling ornaments. At the top of the tree, there was a figurine that looked like what an angel would appear to be. Oh! It was so pretty. Everyone was laughing and the people were happy.
They were all excited because of the presents. They gave each other presents, Joseph, but not one for our Son. I don't think that they even knew Him. They never mentioned His Name. Isn't that strange that these people went through so much trouble to celebrate the birthday of someone whom they don't know?
I had the strange feeling that if our Son had gone to this celebration, He would have felt like an intruder. Everything was so beautiful, Joseph, and everyone was so happy, but this celebration made me feel like crying. How sad it was that Jesus wasn't even invited to His own birthday!
Luckily, it was only a dream. What a pity if it had been real!"
Translated by Norm Léveillée, from "Le rêve de Marie, which appeared in KATERI, Lys des Agniers, No. 167, Hiver/Winter, 2002, Centre Kateri, Kahnawaké, Québec, p. 9.
