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EM PORTUGUES CLICAR AQUI> O pinheiro de St. Martin
EN ESPANOL CLICAR AQUI > El pino de St. Martin
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On Christmas Eve, the parish priest of the little village of St. Martin, in the French Pyrenees, was getting ready to celebrate Mass when he began to smell a delicious perfume. It was winter, the flowers had disappeared a long time ago – and yet there was this pleasant smell as if springtime had appeared out of season.
Intrigued, he went outside to look for the cause of such a marvel, and came across a boy sitting in front of the school door. By his side was a kind of golden Christmas tree.
“But what a beautiful tree!” said the vicar. “It seems to have touched the sky, for it gives off such a divine scent! And it’s made of pure gold! Where did you find it?”
The young man did not seem very happy at what the priest had said.
“It’s true that what I carry with me was growing heavier and heavier as I went along, and the leaves did get harder. But it can’t be gold, and I’m afraid of what my parents are going to say.”
The boy went on to tell his story:
“This morning I left to go to the big city of Tarbes with the money that my mother gave me to buy a nice Christmas tree. But when I was going through a village I happened to see a lonely old woman who had no family to spend the great feast of Christianity with. I gave her some money for her supper, because I was sure that I could get a discount on the tree I was going to buy.
“When I reached Tarbes, I passed in front of the big prison and there was a bunch of people waiting outside to visit the inmates. They were all sad, for they would spend the night far from their beloved ones. I heard some of them commenting that they did not even have enough to buy a slice of Christmas cake. Right there and then, moved by the romanticism of people my age, I decided that I would share my money with those people, who needed it more than I did. I would keep just a very small amount for lunch; the florist is a friend of my family and he would surely give me the tree, and then I could work for him all next week to pay off my debt.
“However, on reaching the market I found out that the florist I knew had not come to work. I tried as hard as I could to find someone who would lend me money to buy the tree elsewhere, but it was all in vain.
“I convinced myself that I would be able to think better what to do if I had something to eat. When I approached a bar, a foreign-looking boy asked me if I could spare him some money, because he had not eaten in two days. Since I imagined that the child Jesus must once have been hungry, I handed him the little money that I had left, and returned home. On the way back I broke a branch off a pine tree; I tried to make it look nice by trimming it, but it just grew as hard as metal and it’s far from being the Christmas tree that my mother is expecting.”
“My dear boy,” said the priest, “the perfume of this tree leaves no doubt whatever that it has been touched by Heaven. Let me tell you the rest of its story:
“As soon as you left that lonely old woman, she immediately asked the Virgin Mary, a mother like herself, to return to you such an unexpected blessing. The parents of the prisoners were certain that they had come upon an angel, and prayed thanking the angels for the Christmas cakes that they bought. The boy that you met gave thanks to God for satisfying his hunger.
“The Virgin, the angels and Jesus heard the prayer of those who had been helped. When you broke the branch off the pine tree, the Virgin bathed it in the perfume of mercy. As you walked along, the angels touched the leaves and they turned to gold. Finally, when everything was ready, Jesus looked upon the work and blessed it, and from then on, whoever touches this Christmas tree will have their sins forgiven and their wishes fulfilled.”
And so it was. The legend goes that the sacred pine tree is still there in St. Martin, but that its force is so great that all those help their brothers on Christmas Eve, however far they may be from the little village in the Pyrenees, are blessed by it.
(inspired by a Hassidic tale)
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Hermoso cuento de Navidad.
Mais uma bela história sobre a grandeza da cristandade, numa altura em que muito boa gente a tenta difamar. Obrigado Paulo e Feliz Natal!!
Thank you for this reflection,made me ponder on the kindness and mercy of love and compassion, so touching and inspiring, Thank you and merry Christmas
Merry Christmas Paulo. God Bless You !!!
hermoso cuento como todo lo que usted publica soy una gran admiradora de su trabajo..feliz navidad que dios lo colme de muchas bendiciones.
thank You for amazing story:)
Paulo, I wish You and Your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Horhe
peace be on everybody
Thank you for such an inspirational message. It has so many meanings. There are so many who have given their time this “Season” to care for others. Gift of gold surely. Merry Christmas to you All.
XXX
Beautifull, thankyou Perfect for XmasDay. Brought tears to my life. We are in God´s Hands, yet God helps those who help themselves. Deep snow here in Germany … real white Xmas, and so quiet.
If you can´t be with the ones you love, Love the ones you´re with…
Thank you Paulo and Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you an everyone.
Sandra, from Holland
Esto es para reflexionar, somos seres humanos egoístas ya que solo pensamos en nosotros y nos olvidamos del resto.
Excelente historia y gracias por la reflexión querido Paulo
merry christmas sir.. may b u n ur family b blessed by christ for all he goodness u share with us.. luv u soo muchh!!
Merry christmas :) you are doing such a good work . My god bless you .
This story surely put me into tears…
Merry Christmas Paulo!
and happy new year…
it is one of the beautiful and inspiring story and i love Christmas although i am a Muslim but Jesus is our reverend prophet and his name and stories are mentioned in detail in Holy Quran so i love to celebrate his birthday
such a nice story :)
merry Christmas
Dear Paulo,
It’s beautiful. Christmas is really about giving from the heart. Thanks for sharing this with us, here’s wishing you and your loved ones a very Blessed Christmas. God bless.
Dear Paolo,
It’s beautiful. Christmas is really about giving from the heart. Thanks for sharing this with us, here’s wishing you and your loved ones a very Blessed Christmas. God bless.
Thank you Paulo!! Merry Christmas to you!!
Thank you for the heart-touching story. Many times I have found myself in the shoes of this young man, though I have not always reached out to others being so absorbed in the frailties of self. May you and your family have a blessed Christmas. You are truly inspired.
Paolo! Thank you for all your kindness! I wish you Merry Cristmas and happiness! My English is very bad, so I can’t to say everything, I want. But I want to say to Leticia Lopez: everithing will be allright, because we will make a pray. Don’t cry, this is a specially day. Merry Cristmas!
Ya me parecias una persona increible por todo lo que escribias, y tu forma de pensar, que ayuda tanto a mejorar este mundo y nos hace mas felices. Pero que respondas a los comentarios… increible!!!! Gracias por estar ahi
Thank you for this beautiful story. Merry Christmas to you and your family! If God blessed the boy in the story for his kindness on Christmas Eve, so will He bless you, for your kindness to us all. I am home alone tonight, sick and sad just like the woman in the story, and your message brought me a true moment of joy. May Jesus return it to you a hundred times more!
Felicidades
thoughts & words the real power of humans. often we think too much and speak too less, sometimes talk nonsense and don’t think. using this power in balance makes you so close to me, to everyone who ever read you. thank’s for sharing your story, your view, your Xmas feeling
Such a lovely story, we should try & help people or pass on our kindness every day, not only for christmas. I really enjoy Paulo books. they are very thought provoking & spiritual. Happy Christmas & Happy & Healthy 2011 to u all.
Thanks GOD for creating you Paulo Coelho, I am sure that you carry some from our GOD soul.
Merry Christmas
Dalia Badran.
Syria
SIMPLMENTE BELLICIMO
I believe we all have a piece of that sacred pine tree in each of us, and as we are inspired to do good to/for others , we are both blessed by our actions and desires. Great and good things come from wishing good for others, and we are all blessed as a consequence of such thoughts.
This story filled my heart. Thank you for spending your time to give it to me.
The most beautiful thing about the story is that I see this message happening in my own life. I went Christmas shopping with my sister and her children. The kids, 8 and 6 years old went through the stores saying ‘I want this, I want that’. They begged and pleaded for every toy that caught their eye I was upset and concerned that the kids were becoming greedy, spoiled and ungrateful for the mountain of amazing things they have. Until my niece saw a man collecting money for children with cancer. Without hesitating and without a she walked up to the man and opened her purse and gave him some of her money. I almost cried. I’m so hopeful for the kids that the spirit of giving in their hearts. I can’t wait to introduce them to your stories.
Blessed Be Paulo. Have an amazing Chritmas and thank you for all your stories and inspiration this year. Xx
merry Christmas to you, do not stop doing marvels
bueno pauloo solo te digo q no se como leerlo en español ya q soy de venezuela pero estoy completamente seguro q es hermoso ese cuentoo ya q solo tu escribes de una manera tan bella tuve la oportunidad de leer su bibliografia y de verdad q cada ves me gustan mas sus libros q Dios y la Virgen lo colmen de bendiciones vida y salud para asi pder seguir disfrutando de su grandes y hermosos libros felicidad y bendiciones.. att Ruben Arenas Venezuela
Bless you all! Merry Christmas to you, Paulo, and to all you that read this! Paulo is an inspiration, but many times I find inspiration in all of you, good people that share your hard and good times with the rest of the world. When I read your words I feel good because I know the world is not comming to an end as it seems. There are still some good people in the worll!
Thank you all!
God bless you!
Love and peace!
Ivana
gracias por tus palabras…espectacular lo que compartes.. FELIZ NAVIDAD..QUE DIOS LO SIGA BENDICIENDO….!!
Thank you Paulo, great story! Merry Christmas to you all. Hope God fill your Christmas with love, peace and many other blessings.
God – for whatever that means to anyone of us – fills our hearts with love, peace and many other blessings…every second, without we have to ask…but it is upon us to open our hearts to receive and share…the only thing that we eventually could ask is the help to open up our hearts more…and one of the ways of “asking” is to be grateful for all we have already…that works multiplying…for what’s the use of getting more if we don’t see what we have already?
esta historia me hizo llorar. porque mi hijo actualmente esta en la carcel.. les pido a todos ustedes una oracion a dios por el.. y por todos los presos del mundo…..
this story made me cry because my son is currently en jail, please to make a pray for him and all person in jail.
What a beautiful story…very goosepumpy?
why do we get goosebumps with such moving/meaningful stories?
C
SI QUE PRONTO NOS OLVIDAMOS DE AQUELLOS QUE ESTAN SOLOS, EN LA CARCEL Y LOS QUE NO TIENEN ESPERANZA EN LA VIDA LOS ENFERMOS LOS ANCIANOS ETC QUE DIOS BENDIAGA A TODOS LOS SAMARITANOS DEL MUNDO FELIZ NAVIDAD!!
That is the true Christmas spirit. Sharing & caring for all brings unmatched happiness. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful story. Merry Christmas to u & ur family
you did the magic again .and it touched the heart as always. merry christmas
lovely story
It’s that time of the year again: holiday celebrations complete
…with a variety of gift giving traditions, family and friends.
There are many things to think about….As we get caught up
in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, fighting the
crowds and worrying about what gifts to get for your loved ones,
it’s easy to forget why we are celebrating in the first place.
It’s not about the gifts or fretting over holiday plans or even
worrying about how cooked the turkey is. It’s about
reconnecting with loved ones, practicing gratitude and
forgetting about all of the struggle and strife that may
have occurred over the past year.
This holiday season, take some time to rekindle old friendships.
Get together when you’d otherwise be busy. Pick up the phone
and call people you don’t make the time for and even invite
someone to share the warmth of the holidays with you. It’s time
to forgive and forget and let go of this year’s struggles.
Wonderful story Paulo – thank you for reminding us that showing a kindness has a ripple effect – Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones, and may your New Year be blessed.
What a touching story Sir
Merry Christmas to you and your family
Christ is born…Alleluia
What a beautiful story… Thank you for it. Merry Xmas and bless you all!!!
Dear Paulo – there are few words to express the gratitude I have in my heart for knowing you. Your guidance, your inspiration, your kindness, your teachings – all of these precious gifts that you selflessly share with so many people around the world are indeed a ‘gift of love’ from one to another. And I want to take a moment to thank you so very sincerely for being ‘you’ and for giving, and caring, and loving the way you do. My life is richer in the knowledge of you and Paulo – to you, your family, your friends and your loved ones, may I wish you a very Merry Christmas filled with grace – and a year ahead filled with unimaginable joy, prosperity, good-health, and continued wisdom.
May you be blessed this Holiday Season.
Ken
AMEM
I guess all of the people on this blog try in their way to express their enthousiasm and gratitude for the help, the guidance, the inspiration, the kindness, the teachings through his books and daily care for “food for thought” and “fuel for love” that Paulo Coelho offers generously and selfless to all of us, regardless who we are. To me, words seem -in some way- shortcoming for such a “gift of love” that brings so many hearts and minds together, all on the path of the finding of their sparkling divinity. So thanks to you Ken for having expressed it like many, myself included, would have liked to find the words.
PAULO,
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Thanks for being such vast source of Inspiration!!!!!
Kedar
Perfect story for Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas and God bless you, Paulo!
Paulo may God almighty bless you and your family with his divine love on this Christmas Eve and throughout the following year!
Many thanks for your beautiful stories and posts. I look forward to them each day with and open heart.
Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noël my dear friend!
A lovely story teaching us about the joy of giving
:( Reminds me of my helplessness and incapability of sponsoring a meal to an orphanage this year on my birthday (26th Dec) as am jobless! Something that I have never failed to do in the past 10 years!! It hurts!
Do not worry !
complete surrender to god is the key !
Dont just believe in MIRACLES Depend on them !
You will surely find a way!
Feed one or many , If its done with the right intention ,it suffices!
God does not weigh you on quantity but quality !
God Bless
Feliz NAVIDAD
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