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#570263 12/12/09 10:42 AM
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This year, many families are struggling due to the current economic crunch. Ours is no different. Because she has lost her job and is expecting her first child, my daughter and I have chosen not to worry about presents. We do, however, plan on continuing our traditional family feast, just on our own and in a scaled down version.

Traditionally, on Christmas Eve, the entire family gathers together. The table is adorned with a white table cloth (purity of Christ), a small amount of hay is placed in the center (humility of Christ) surrounding a red candle (blood He will shed) and an extra place is set. 12 dishes are always served (represents 12 apostles) and fish is always one of the dishes.

When I was litle, we would eat and then attend Christmas Eve services. When we came back, the presents were under the tree and we sat around until they were all openned.

What traditions does your family share?

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My dad told me that when he was a kid, his Uncle John would tell a story about the animals talking on Christmas Eve. A few years ago, I tried to find the story on the Internet, but there was almost nothing about it, other than being an old Scottish wives tale. So...

I wrote "Christmas Barnyard Bliss" 4 years ago and on most Christmas Eves I have read it to the family (one year our four kids were with our ex's). It's kinda long, but I'm happy to share...


Christmas Barnyard Bliss
by Don McKay � 2006

Listen up children and I will tell
A tale of wonder to make hearts swell.
A magical story of Holy cheer,
Showing that not all is as it would appear.

Years ago when I was quite young,
We lived on a farm where birds always sung.
We had apples in fall, and veggies year round.
And a host of good animals safe and sound.

A few tame ducks, a horse that was tall,
Chickens, guineas, a rooster�s loud call.
Some dogs and some cats � they got along OK.
A goose that had flown in and opted to stay.

Donkey so mild her name was Serene.
A goat and cow completed the scene.
Bees for the orchard, a few mice in the barn,
If they were �round still, they�d remember this yarn.

It all happened late one Christmas Eve --
When I was a child still very na�ve.
Asleep with sugar plums dancing in my head,
I was under warm covers, snuggled in bed.

Strange noises from the barn awoke me.
Scared, I laid there a minute or three.
�Was I dreaming?� �Why weren�t my parents awake?�
Were the first of many thoughts that made me quake.

I slipped from bed and got set to leave --
Put on my boots, put my arm through its sleeve.
A check out the window showed nothing amiss --
A picture perfect vision of barnyard bliss.

I paused a trice while leaving my room.
�What if it�s Santa?� I thought with gloom!
What would he think of a boy he caught snooping?
But in the end, I trusted Claus� good and bad groupings.

I crept down the stairs making it quick
Checking the tree for signs of Saint Nick.
That fat old elf had already come and gone
Presents galore patiently waiting for dawn!

Curious now about the barn�s racket,
I paused a bit to don my jacket.
As I walked outside the noises got louder
And a light snow sprinkled like baby powder.

The night was black and bitterly cold --
I barely noticed with breath on hold.
I stole through the night, the noises less scary.
Was our barn now infested with gnome and with fairy?

As I reached the barn, the moon broke bright.
The snow had stopped � a beautiful night!
Quietly, stealthily, I opened the barn door.
What I saw made my eyes blink five times or more!

They were facing the manger of straw,
All kneeling with reverence and awe.
Chickens and guineas and all dogs and all cats,
The horse and the donkey, even the barn rats!

There I stood, all amazed and bemused.
The creatures must be fully confused!
And then the great mystery finally was cracked
The host of animals was singing, in fact.

What language they used, I could not pick.
Was it Latin, Greek, Aramaic?
Stranger even than their wonderful baying,
I found I could absorb what they were saying.

The bees from the orchard sang a psalm --
It steadied my nerves and made me calm.
Then all the beast�s voices rejoiced to the King,
�Of the Father�s love begotten�� they did sing.

My feet took over and I walked to them
Listening as they sung this poem.
They saw me now, and made room for me
And gladly I joined them in their jubilee.

Small boy and beast then finished the song,
Bonded as one and ever so strong.
I recalled all the animals in the Ark,
Of when Balaam�s Donkey smartly did hark.

Daniel praying in the lion�s pit,
Though I wasn�t afraid one little bit.
But perhaps what described the whole event best
Was Adam and God�s creatures joined and at rest.

But as though to stop my idle thought,
The horse glanced my way -- was consent sought?
And then with a horse-smile he bent down and blew
On straw in the manger to warm it anew.

Wait a second -- There was a baby in the manger!
How could that be? Was he in danger?
Suddenly I realized that He was our Savior!
Only this miracle could change the beasts� behavior!

His legs were kicking, His hands had clasped,
He cooed a little bit as I gasped.
And then in voices entirely biased
The beasts sang �Glory to God in the highest!�

I then watched as Christ rose into the air,
As if to answer every prayer.
A host of Angels were singing His praises
That He�s the answer for all God�s promises.

The angels received Him without delay.
And then as I wiped my tears away,
The Angels and Christ child vanished from sight.
And quick as a flash it was a silent night.

We all looked around at each other,
Then said ��Night!� just as to a brother.
The beasts turned in to their stables, beds and pens.
I now looked on these guys differently, as friends.

They were making their normal chatters --
Neighs and clucks and scurries and patters.
Your typical barnyard scene before sunrise,
Though I did detect bemusement in their eyes.

I turned and left with a last �Farewell!�
And left the barn where animals dwell.
How long I was awake I hadn�t a clue
A few minutes, an hour � only God knew.

I went to the house, the moon long gone.
Snow resumed as I began to yawn.
I snuck back upstairs, with no one the wiser �
I�m not used to being an early riser!

Back in bed, tucked in and asleep.
No need to even have to count sheep!
I woke much later to a crisp Christmas Day
About the night�s events I�d nothing to say.

Many Christmases have since sped past.
My children�s children have come at last.
Life is more hectic and it�s hard to live true.
But whenever I�ve doubt, I know what to do.

I recall that night of long ago
And I feel my faith and gladness grow.
But instead of that night when I was amazed
I share with my kin of when I saw Christ raised.

Gathered around the Christmas fire,
Chatting with all before I retire,
As if they had not heard the account before
�Tell us your Christmas story,� they do implore.

�We are all God�s creatures,� I begin
And then I tell them of what has been.
Some keep believing it�s only a story �
A tall tale to teach of all the Lord�s glory.

I gently remind them that my eyes are true
That we don�t know all that we think we do.
Finally I prompt them of one last detail
�He is where ever gathered believers hail."


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Don,
That is absolutely beautiful. What an inspiration!

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Calhouncam,
I'm so sorry. I don't know how I missed your post. Yes, Christmas traditions are special. Life has gotten so harried. I wish more famiies took the time to explain traditions and customs to their children. My grandmother always made sure we knew about the old country, sufferings, joy, sacrifice and the role of family as well as God.

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Hi... This is inspirational post. That give the style to live life. Thanks for sharing.


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