St. Thérèse of Lisieux loved Christmas for many reasons. For example, it was a reminder of her initial “conversion” as a child, as well as a feast that celebrated the Divine Child Jesus, whom she deeply loved.
She also loved snow, as she recounts in her Story of a Soul.
Do you remember my telling you, dear Mother, how fond I am of snow? While I was still quite small, its whiteness entranced me. Why had I such a fancy for snow? Perhaps it was because, being a little winter flower, my eyes first saw the earth clad in its beautiful white mantle.
The day of her clothing ceremony, when she would enter into the novitiate at the Carmelite monastery at Lisieux, was fixed to January 10, 1889. The weather began to turn spring-like in her region of France and St. Thérèse had little hope it would snow.
So, on my clothing day, I wished to see it decked, like myself, in spotless white. The weather was so mild that it might have been spring, and I no longer dared hope for snow. The morning of the feast brought no change and I gave up my childish desire, as impossible to be realized.
The “Little Miracle” of Snow
Yet, when she entered the enclosure after the ceremony, snow was waiting for her, despite the warm weather.
The instant I set foot in the enclosure again my eyes fell on the statue of the Child Jesus smiling on me amid the flowers and lights; then, turning towards the quadrangle, I saw that, in spite of the mildness of the weather, it was covered with snow. What a delicate attention on the part of Jesus! Gratifying the least wish of His little Spouse, He even sent her this. Where is the creature so mighty that he can make one flake of it fall to please his beloved?
Everyone was amazed, and since then many people, hearing of my desire, have described this event as “the little miracle” of my clothing day, and thought it strange I should be so fond of snow. So much the better, it shows still more the wonderful condescension of the Spouse of Virgins—of Him Who loves lilies white as the snow.
The small miracle of snow is reminiscent of the famous Christmas movie, White Christmas, where everyone is hoping and praying for snow. Despite all circumstances and mild weather, snow starts to fall at the most unexpected time.
It shows us that it is never childish to pray for snow, as Jesus looks lovingly upon us all and delights in seeing us smile.
And today we celebrate...