The Ox, the Donkey, and Baby Jesus

The Ox, the Donkey, and Baby Jesus (All living creatures should celebrate the arrival of Jesus) In a small town called Greccio, there was a man named John, a very devoted follower of Saint Francis. About two weeks before Christmas, Saint Francis called John and said: "My son, if you want us to celebrate the birth of Jesus in Greccio, prepare everything I'm going to tell you. I would like to represent the Child born in Bethlehem to see with my own eyes the discomforts He faced that holy night. Our Lord was laid in a manger between the ox and the donkey. So you prepare a grotto. Try to arrange everything as it must have been on the night the Child Jesus was born." Juan immediately goes to the designated place to prepare what is necessary according to Saint Francis's plan. And Christmas Eve arrives. On this occasion, Saint Francis invites many friars to come to Greccio. Shortly before midnight, men, women, and children arrive jubilantly from the region's villages. They bring candles and torches to illuminate the holy night. Saint Francis also arrives at the grotto. He sees that everything has been prepared according to his wishes. He is radiant with joy. A farmer puts an armful of hay in the manger, and then an ox and a donkey are brought into the grotto. Greccio has become a new Bethlehem. The forest around the grotto resonates with voices and festive songs. Saint Francis, who has also invited a priest to celebrate Holy Mass in the grotto, assists the celebrant. After reading the Gospel, Saint Francis speaks to the people gathered before the grotto. With tender words, he recalls the birth of the Child Jesus. Even the ox and the donkey listen attentively. Saint Francis pronounces the word Bethlehem with a trembling voice. In his mouth, the word sounds almost like the bleating of a lamb. At midnight sharp, as soon as Saint Francis had finished speaking, the grotto was miraculously illuminated. In the manger, between the ox and the donkey, appears the radiant figure of the Child Jesus. The farmers and shepherds closest to the entrance of the grotto clearly see how the Child lies smiling in the hay of the manger. The ox and the donkey warm the little Child with their breath, just as the ox and the donkey had done in Bethlehem. Saint Francis kneels in adoration before the Nativity scene. The shepherds and farmers sing a Christmas carol. Someone plays flutes and panpipes. Children wave torches. After a few moments, the Child Jesus disappears and the light in the grotto gradually fades. After Mass, people return home singing and waving candles and torches. Many stars shine in the sky. Saint Francis remains in the grotto for a long time, praying. He strokes the ox and the donkey and says to them: -Brother ox and brother donkey, you are fortunate among all animals because you have been able to see your Lord and Creator with your own eyes. You have been able to warm Him with your breath. The ox and the donkey look at the saint with their large, sweet eyes, still filled with the light that appeared in the grotto. Then Saint Francis commands his friars: - My brothers, for the love of Our Lord, I command you that in future years, on Christmas Eve, you shall feed all the animals. In particular, give good hay to the oxen and the donkeys. All living creatures shall celebrate the Nativity of Jesus. Since then, until the death of Saint Francis, the friars went to the stables of Greccio every year to bring good hay to all the oxen and donkeys on Christmas Eve. You too, dear children, on Christmas Day remember to feed all the little animals you have at home or that you find along the way with good food.

 

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The True Value Of Things

It was only five days before Christmas. The spirit of the season hadn’t yet caught up with me, even though cars packed the parking lot of our Houston area Target Shopping Center. Inside the store, it was worse. Shopping carts and last minute shoppers jammed the aisles. Why did I come today? I wondered. My feet ached almost as much as my head. My list contained the names of several people who claimed they wanted nothing but I knew their feelings would be hurt if I didn’t buy them anything. Buying for someone who had everything and deploring the high cost of items, I considered gift buying anything but fun. Hurriedly, I filled my shopping cart with last minute items and proceeded to the long checkout lines. I picked the shortest one but it looked as if it would mean at least a twenty-minute wait. In front of me were two small children—a boy of about age ten and a younger girl, about 5. The boy wore a ragged coat. Enormously large, tattered tennis shoes jutted far out in front of his much too short jeans. He clutched several crumpled dollar bills in his grimy hands. The girl’s clothing resembled her brother’s. Her head was a matted mess of curly hair. Reminders of an evening meal showed on her small face. She carried a beautiful pair of shiny, gold house slippers. As the Christmas music played over the public address system, the girl hummed along, out of key but happily. When we finally approached the checkout register, the girl carefully placed the shoes on the counter. She treated them as though they were a treasure. The clerk rang up the bill. “That will be $6.09,” she said. The boy laid his crumpled dollars atop the stand while he searched his pockets. He finally came up with $3.12. “I guess we will have to put them back,” he bravely said. “We will come back some other time, maybe tomorrow.” With that statement, a soft sob broke from the little girl. “But Jesus would have loved these shoes,” she cried. “Well, we’ll go home and work some more. Don’t cry, we’ll come back,” he said. Quickly I handed $3.00 to the cashier. These children had waited in line for a long time. And, after all, it was Christmas. Suddenly a pair of arms came around me and a small voice said, “Thank you sir.” “What did you mean when you said Jesus would like the shoes?” I asked. The small boy answered, “Our mommy is sick and going to heaven. Daddy said she might go before Christmas to be with Jesus.” The girl spoke, “My Sunday School teacher said the streets in heaven are shiny gold, just like these shoes. Won’t mommy be beautiful walking on those streets to match these shoes?” My eyes flooded as I looked into her tear streaked face. “Yes,” I answered, “I am sure she will.” Silently I thanked God for using these children to remind me of the true spirit of giving. Christmas is not about the amount of money paid, nor the amount of gifts purchased, nor trying to impress friends and relatives. Christmas is about the love in your heart to share with those as Jesus Christ has shared with each of us. Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ whom God sent to show the world how much He really loves us.

Source Unknown To Me

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Christmas Is For Love - MarieB

Christmas is for love. It is for joy, for giving and sharing, for laughter, for reuniting with family and friends, for tinsel and brightly decorated packages. But mostly, Christmas is for love. I had not believed this until a small elf-like student with wide-eyed innocent eyes and soft rosy cheeks gave me a wondrous gift one Christmas.. Mark was an orphan who lived with his aunt, a bitter middle aged woman greatly annoyed with the burden of caring for her dead sister's son. She never failed to remind young Mark, if it hadn't been for her generosity, he would be a vagrant, homeless waif. Still, with all the scolding and chilliness at home, he was a sweet and gentle child. I had not noticed Mark particularly until he began staying after class each day (at the risk of arousing his aunt's anger, I later found) to help me straighten up the room. We did this quietly and comfortably, not speaking much, but enjoying the solitude of that hour of the day. When we did talk, Mark spoke mostly of his mother. Though he was quite small when she died, he remembered a kind, gentle, loving woman, who always spent much time with him. As Christmas drew near however, Mark failed to stay after school each day. I looked forward to his coming, and when the days passed and he continued to scamper hurriedly from the room after class, I stopped him one afternoon and asked why he no longer helped me in the room. I told him how I had missed him, and his large gray eyes lit up eagerly as he replied, "Did you really miss me?" I explained how he had been my best helper. "I was making you a surprise.." he whispered confidentially. "It's for Christmas.." With that, he became embarrassed and dashed from the room. He didn't stay after school any more after that. Finally came the last school day before Christmas. Mark crept slowly into the room late that afternoon with his hands concealing something behind his back. "I have your present.." he said timidly when I looked up. "I hope you like it." He held out his hands, and there lying in his small palms was a tiny wooden box. "Its beautiful, Mark. Is there something in it?" I asked opening the top to look inside. " "Oh you can't see what's in it.." He replied, "and you can't touch it, or taste it or feel it, but mother always said it makes you feel good all the time, warm on cold nights, and safe when you're all alone.." I gazed into the empty box. "What is it Mark," I asked gently, "that will make me feel so good?" "It's love.." he whispered softly, "and mother always said it's best when you give it away." And he turned and quietly left the room.. So now I keep a small box crudely made of scraps of wood on the piano in my living room and only smile as inquiring friends raise quizzical eyebrows when I explain to them that there is love in it.. Yes, Christmas is for gaiety, mirth and song, for good and wondrous gifts. But mostly, Christmas is for love... Copyright © 2000-2005 Marie B.com All rights reserved.

 

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Bethlehem Snack Mix / Nativity Lunch

This "Bethlehem Snack Mix" is the perfect kitchen gift to share thru-out the holiday season's gatherings and/or even as neighbor gifts. Here's what you need: Animal crackers Red and green M&Ms* Star-shaped pretzels* Potato sticks** I am sorry that the recipe I have does not include quantities. Probably if you started with a cup of each ingredient, you could not go wrong. * Red and green M&Ms and star-shaped pretzels can usually be found in stores as soon as the holiday items begin to appear. ** Potato sticks are the (fried, I assume) shoestring-shaped snack item -- like potato chips, only in sticks. They come in a can. It looks a bit like hay or straw if you use your imagination. The poem could be printed on a gift tag which you would attach with a ribbon to the top of a clear plastic treat bag. Or, fold the top of a plastic or paper treat bag over and staple a rectangular tag to the top of it. The mix could also be placed in a jar, which would make for a festive-looking gift as well. POEM reads as: This yummy snack is an easy way To remember that very first Christmas Day! Potato sticks remind us of hay Like that in the manger where Jesus lay. These crackers remind us of the animals that night -- Sheep and donkey surprised at the sight. Pretzels in the shape of stars Remind us of all that the shepherds saw. Red and green, the colors of the season, Remind us that Jesus is the only reason! Or you could certainly write your own poem, or simply list what the ingredients are intended to represent. Have fun with this idea! I can see individual bags of this mix being a wonderful gift for Sunday School students.   Image Source: Nativity Lunch Christmas Ideas suggests these little "pigs in a blanket" some shredded cheese for the hay and pretzels for frame. You could also add a Star on top with using ketchup or mustard.    Christmas Story Snack Mix (Free Printable!) Also check out this pinterest board for more ideas for nativity lunches etc...

Source: Mrs. T's Christmas Kitchen Pinterest Board and her blog

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Good For Nothing? (A Christmas Story)

Just before the Blessed Mother was about to give birth to the Baby Jesus, God the Father sent an angel to earth to search for the right animals that could assist the Holy Family in Bethlehem. The first place that the angel went to was the forest where he met a lion and a fox. “I need animals to help the Holy Family, for the Lord Jesus is to be born,” the angel told the beasts. “What can you two do?” he asked. “I will guard the Holy Family so that no one can harm them. With my claws and fangs, I will shred to pieces anyone who goes any inch nearer them,” said the lion. “Oh my,” said the horrified angel, “you are not only too powerful; you are very violent too. Thanks anyway.” The fox stepped forward and said, “I volunteer to help them, angel.” “And what how will you do so?” asked the angel. “I will see to it that the Holy Family will not starve,” said the fox. “Hmmm…sounds very practical. And how do you plan to do that?” inquired the angel. The fox replied, “I will sneak into the neighbors’ barns every night and steal their chickens for the Holy Family so that Mary, Joseph, and the Baby can eat well everyday.” “Oh, no,” the angel said sadly, “you can’t feed the Holy Family with something stolen from others. You are rather sly. I’m sorry, you do not qualify.” The angel’s next stop was a barn where he met a peacock, a donkey, and an ox. He informed them about what brought him there. The peacock said, “Did you say, the Baby is to be born in a stable? Very well then, I will spread my beautiful tail and make the stable look more enchanting than Solomon’s palace or even more than the Temple in Jerusalem.” “You’re quite vain, Mr. Peacock. Sorry, but you’re not the one I need.” said the angel. Too shy to volunteer themselves, the donkey and the ox were asked by the angel to step forward. “Is there anything you can offer?” asked the angel. “Nothing,” chorused the two. “I spend my days carrying loads on my back and there seems to be nothing that I learn from doing so except some patience and humility,” said the donkey. “I do almost the same thing everyday that my friend here, Mr. Donkey, does, but he forgot to mention that we also always swing our tails to keep flies away,” the ox added. “Aha, that’s perfect! Please hurry and go to Bethlehem. You are badly needed there,” said the angel to the donkey and the ox. Now, we know why there is no lion, no fox, and no peacock in the nativity scene.

Source: Crumbs - Spiritual Reflections of Fr. Bobby R. Titco

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