God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.

The saying links memory to the ability to enjoy something beautiful out of season—like having roses during winter—by recalling past experiences. It circulated anonymously in print by at least 1901, later appearing in religious and literary contexts and becoming popularly associated with J. M. Barrie after he quoted it in a 1922 rectorial address while indicating it was someone else’s line.

The idea is that remembering lets people re-experience warmth, beauty, and joy when circumstances are bleak, much as imagining or possessing roses in winter would bring comfort when nature offers none.

Memory was given to mortals so that they might have roses in December.

God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.

God gave us memory that we might have roses in winter.

Memory is the power to gather roses in winter.