Merry Christmas....

"This is the wonder of Christmas, that in the solitary form of an impoverished infant God has handed me everything that I could never create so that I can be everything that I could never be." 

- Craig D. Lounsbrough

Bo

 THE ANIMALS' CHRISTMAS EVE by Gale Wiersum and Jim Robison
 ( 1977) One of my favourite Christmas books for children....the copy I have was a gift. The corners are a tad chewed up but the pages are still wonderful.

Smokey

 In the barn on Christmas Eve, after all the people leave, the animals, in voices low, remember Christmas long ago...

 One small hen, upon her nest, softly clucks to all the rest: "Little chicks, come, gather near. A wondrous story you will hear."

 Two white doves, on rafters high, coo a quiet lullaby;"Long ago in manger hay the little baby Jesus lay....."

 "Three wise men from far away came to visit him  one day, for He was born, "the doves recall, "to be the greatest KING  of all."

 Four brown horses in their stalls, snug within the stable walls, tell of His birth: "Twas long foretold by chosen ones in days of old....."

Smokey in past years

 Five grey donkeys speak with pride, remembering one who gave a ride...

Bunny

 "Our brother donkey went with them from Nazareth to Bethlehem...."

Cordelia

 Six spotted calves  now nibble hay like that on which the baby lay....

 "They put him in a manger bed so he could rest his sleepy head."

 "Where there is no hope, there is Christmas.And where there is no Christmas, there is no hope." -C.D. Lounsbrough

 Seven goats, all black and white, describe the sky that holy night:
"A star appeared at early morn, to mark the place where He was born."

Smokey's paw prints

 Eight nestling kittens lick their fur. They nod their heads and softly purr:
"And He was wrapped in swaddling clothes to keep him warm from head to toes."

 Nine woolly sheep, down from the hill, On Christmas Eve remember still:

 "Shepherds heard the angels sing praises to the newborn KING."

 "The worst defeat of all is to surrender without having been defeated. And it is Christmas that obliterates both." 
                               - C.D. Lounsbrough

 Ten soft lambs say Jesus' name: "He was the Lamb of God who came. He was the greatest gift of love, sent from His Father, God, above."

 Eleven puppies listen well in hopes that they, in turn, can tell .....

 The Christmas story another year for all the animals to hear....

Spencer

 Twelve chimes ring out from far away. The lovely bells of Christmas Day. And every beast bows low its head for ONE small babe in a manger bed.

 "The Light of the Christmas star to you. The warmth of home and hearth to you. The cheer and goodwill of friends to you. The joy of a thousand angels to you. The love of the Son and God's peace to you." -Sheryyl Woods

Photographs 2017
Excerpts from "The Animals' Christmas Eve 1977 A Golden Book/New York/Western Publishing Co." (Written by Gale Wiersum and illustrated by Jim Robison)

Poe/Puma

A Merry Christmas from Us 4 to all of you!