The Meaning of Christmas

The Donkey’s Tale

Something was happening with the humans they seemed to be troubled, as I watched from the safety of the olive tree I could see them running around shouting things to each other. I twitched my ears forward to try to listen to them but they were to far away for me to hear. At any other time of the day I would have ambled over to watch them and listen to their words, humans fascinated me and I wanted to learn all I could from them. Not today though, it was just to hot at this time, the sun was at its zenith and the last thing any sensible creature would do was walk about in it. I yawned and rubbed my head against the knobbly bark scratching an itch behind my ear. Humans were the only ones stupid enough to be running around at midday, as I looked round me I could see sheep tucked in next to the stone wall dozing sleepily in its shadow, the cows were under the wooden shelter our human had made for them softly chewing the cud until they could wander back out from under their shade and start grazing again. It was a quiet peaceful scene even the usually noisy birds were roosting under the eaves out of the direct sunshine. Leaning against the tree trunk I closed my eyes and dozed peacefully in the heat swishing my tail at the annoying flies.

I do not know how long I stayed like that, animals do not have the same concept of time that humans do, to us morning is when the sun rises and night is when it sets anything in between is measured by its movement across the sky, all I know is as the shadows lengthened the heat began to drop and we animals went back to our fields.

I was grazing in a corner of my field with my friends, we had to wander quite a distance that day, grass was hard to find in the hot arid desert surrounding Nazareth. I had found a small patch under the canopy of a line of Cypress trees and was eating greedily before the others found it too.

I was so engrossed in my chewing I did not hear our human walking across the field

‘Ahh Daniel, as usual ever resourceful’

I lifted my head to see my human Joseph walking towards me I let him approach and waited until he reached me and nuzzled against his hand he stroked my nose and rubbed my long ears,

‘Here my friend would you like a carrot?’

He scratched behind my ears as I crunched the delicious vegetable and nuzzled his coat for more, he pushed my nose away and laughed,

‘You must graze while you can little friend for we have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow and my Mary will need your strength’

I stared at him with gentle unblinking eyes, he was not to know I understood every word he said, it was a gift not many creatures had, Most creatures understood an odd word if it was repeated to them often enough. Those of us who choose to live with the humans could learn much more if we apply ourselves, we are not like the humans though we have to work hard to learn what humans would regard as simple tasks It was difficult for us to see that the humans had evolved to be leaders, they learned quickly, they adapted, found language and could us tools. The Creator helped us to see that we were here to serve humankind and walk beside them on their journey Animals knew the humans they would go on to rule over every other species.They were clever and passed what they learned on to the next generation and each following generation grew stronger and wiser, they continued to evolve but animals did not. Donkeys, like our other domesticated friends were happy to serve humans in return for shelter and food and our bond had grown stronger as the years past.

I nibbled on Joseph’s jacket nudging his pocket and he laughed,

’You know don’t you Daniel, I can’t hide anything from you can I?

He always brought me more than one treat and he chuckled at my actions before producing an apple from one of his pockets,

‘You never forget do you boy’

He gave my flank a last pat and made his way back across the field and I stood still watching him walk back towards the house then returned to my grazing. I knew I was lucky, Joseph was a good human, he cared for me well. He always made sure I had enough food and water. I worked hard for him but he did not expect any more from me than what he did himself. I rested under the olive tree rubbing my back to relieve an itch there wondering why Mary needed me, it was normally only Joseph and I who worked.

‘Hey Daniel, did the Master say we are working tomorrow?’

Amos and Ezra ambled across the field towards me, they were my friends and my colleagues, we worked side by side in the little cart Joseph had made to transport the wood he needed as a carpenter. It was hard, heavy, work pulling it over the stony tracks but we did so willingly for Joseph He never had a harsh word for any us always treating us with love and kindness even if we stumbled and some of his wood was lost. He was not like the other Masters who beat our species with sticks and worked us until we dropped to our knees. Many times these cruel men laughed at Joseph scorning him for his gentle kindness to all living creatures it only served to make us work harder and Joseph had become a much sought after carpenter, well known for his fine pieces. Mary was soon to be his wife, she had come into his life like a breath of fresh air, the daughter of a friend. She made him smile and his eyes would shine with love when he watched her singing softly as she went about her work. Joseph would come into the field to feed us and confide his love for her to us, he hoped the Good Lord would Bless him with many sons to help him with his work. Like Joseph, Mary had a deep abiding love for all creatures and as night fell she would come to wait for her man standing happily scratching our noses while he put away his equipment. We were devoted to her just as we were to Joseph. I was dozing fitfully in the shade of the Cypress trees later that night when I was startled awake by the voice of the Great Creator,

‘Daniel, I have need of you my little donkey’

I lifted my head and pricked up my ears looking towards the light shining across the field. All creatures know the voice of the Great Creator, Father of All Species.

‘You have been chosen amongst My many beasts for a great honour my little donkey. You are strong and sturdy and by carrying this burden you will be Blessed among your kind for all time’

Bowing my head I acknowledged His words.

‘I am honoured to be of service Great Creator. What is it you require me to do?’

‘Tomorrow you must carry the most precious gift I can give this world. Be brave little donkey, it is a long, weary road you must travel with this heavy burden. I put my faith and trust in you to carry the Mother of my Son safely to Bethlehem. Will you do this for Me? ’

He touched my head and I felt a great sense of peace settle across my shoulders.

‘I would be honoured Great Creator, Mary will be safe with me I give you my word’

‘Thank you brave little donkey. As a sigh of my faith in you I give you my mark so that all creatures will know that you are My Chosen One’ I felt His Presence surround me with love and I closed me eyes and slept peacefully.