By Bill Vinet

Hawaii is often referred to an earthly paradise and not without reason. The climate alone would justify that description. On Dec. 6, I discovered a spiritual side of this 50th State as well.

Being a shutterbug, I thought my wife and I should accept the invitation to take our retirement-home bus to see the “Honolulu City Lights.” Twelve of us left Pohai Nani with our bus driver Tom, who also served as our tour guide, to view decorated homes in our immediate neighborhood before taking a ride over the Pali.

The oo’s and ah’s started when we reached Honolulu and increased as we neared King Street where lighted decorations were everywhere. As we approached City Hall, I saw what motivated this excursion in the first place, the Knights of Columbus crche. Right there on our left was the most beautifully-illuminated crche I have ever seen. We weren’t allowed to leave the bus so I knew I’d be back to take snapshots of it.

The next morning at about 10 a.m. I revisited the display to snap a few more shots of the unilluminated crche. There, neatly placed just inside the two-and-a-half foot high white picket fence surrounding the display, was a small, green pair of girl’s sandals.

Later, thinking of the little drummer boy of yuletide fame who had no gift for Jesus but his drumming, it dawned on me that the little girl had probably left her sandals as a present for the Christ Child.

Bill Vinet is an honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus.