MERRY CHRISTMAS

A few years ago I read a story about if you give your animals fresh bedding in the barn on Christmas eve they will talk to each other at midnight. I loved that story so much that now on Christmas eve I make my husband go out and we put fresh bedding down for all the animals. Bless my husbands heart he humors me and no matter how late it is we go out and bed the sheep, donkey, cow, rabbit, chickens and now ponies. As we head back to the house I smile to myself and picture all the animals getting out of there stalls and gathering around to tell the story of that night long ago when the Christ Jesus was born. In my mind, I picture my old girl Haggie (she's my oldest ewe) telling all her barn mates to gather round as she spins her tale, telling how her family goes way back and her ancestors were there on that glorious night when the Angel's came to the shepherd's in field and this is how the story goes:
 Luke 2
New International Version
The Birth of Jesus
​2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

​And when Haggie is finished with her story they all go back to their fresh beds and the barn returns to normal. 
So that is how I picture the barn on Christmas Eve. In my mind I like to think that even the animals know how special Jesus is and want to spread the news to all who will listen. 
So as you read this I hope you to will know how special this time of year is and that it's not all about the gifts that we get or give, but it is about the One Gift we received and that is Christ.  I hope to that you too will want to spread the news to all who will listen. 
From our Family to yours we would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas! And may the new year bring you great blessings.