From Venezuela, María García de Fleury, a sociologist, graduate in religious pedagogy and president of the worldwide apostolate of the Virgin of Coromoto, shares a moving true story that invites us to reflect on our relationship with the Child who is about to be born.
María relates:
“We visited an orphanage called Casa Hogar de Niños in Sabaneta, El Hatillo. There we found many children, some Venezuelan and others immigrants. Among them, there were little ones who still showed scars and marks from a painful past, like our protagonist, Andrés.”
A Christmas mission
María explains the purpose of her visit:
“We went to tell them the story of Christmas. We told them about Mary, about Joseph, and how, not finding a place in the inns, they took refuge in a humble stable, where Jesus was born. To make it more special, we organized an activity: each child had to make a nativity scene with simple materials such as cardboard, napkins and pieces of cloth. The final touch was to create a figure of Baby Jesus with felt.”
Andrés’ amazing nativity scene
While the children were working, María noticed something peculiar in the nativity scene of Andrés, a boy of about 6 years old:
“Instead of just one baby, Andrés had placed two. Intrigued, I asked him: ‘Why are there two children in your nativity scene? ’ His answer left me speechless.”
Andrew recreated the story with a unique ending:
“He told me that after Jesus was placed in the manger, he looked at him and asked if he had a place to stay. Andrew replied that he had no family or home. So Jesus invited him to stay with Him. But Andrew, saddened, said that he had no gift to offer him. Jesus replied that the best gift would be his warmth. So Andrew decided to get into the manger with Jesus, who said to him: ‘You can stay with me forever.'”
A Christmas lesson
Mary, excited, reflects on Andrew’s teaching:
“Through his innocence, Andrew showed me something profound: Jesus does not seek riches or great offerings, but a willing heart. His story reminded me that what is truly important is not material things, but the people who accompany us. This Christmas, let us seek to strengthen our relationship with God, that Friend who never fails.”
May the message of Andrew and his manger inspire us to welcome Mary’s Baby into our hearts, with the simplicity and love of a child.
