Pulling in to my driveway yesterday, I noticed something different about the Nativity scene on the front lawn. As I got closer, I realized someone had added a ceramic goose to the small group of animals looking in on Mary and Joseph. I smiled, and thought, “Why not?” There are geese in Bethlehem, and why should sheep, donkeys and camels be the only ones blessed with such a privilege?
Considering the intuitive nature of animals, it’s likely hosts of angels weren’t the only ones gathering that evening. It’s possible the manger was visited by geese, deer, badgers, porcupines, bats, hyenas, leopards, even sand rats. The Son of God would surely welcome animals of all sizes, shapes, and natures.
We owe the Nativity tradition to St. Francis of Assisi who, in 1224, planned a “living” recreation of the birth of Jesus to fill the local villagers with the spirit of Christmas. With real people dressed in robes and real animals gathered outside a cave on the outskirts of town, St. Francis urged the people to remove hatred from their hearts and rejoice in the season of Christ’s birth.
Along with his living nativity scene, Saint Francis also used music to teach his congregation about the birth of Jesus Christ. Tradition credits St. Francis with adding religious lyrics to popular tunes and creating the first Christmas carols.
Maybe I should move my garden statue of St. Francis a little bit closer to the Nativity.
"The belief that the animal creation worships at the season of Christ's birth is familiar and widespread; only those who can see ghosts at Christmas have the power of hearing the cattle, sheep, and horses talk, as they do talk at this holy season." Ruth Firor, Folkways in Thomas Hardy
Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock.
"Now they are all on their knees,"
An elder said as we sat in a flock
By the embers in hearthside ease.
We pictured the meek mild creatures where
They dwelt in their strawy pen,
Nor did it occur to one of us there
To doubt they were kneeling then.
So fair a fancy few would weave
In these years! Yet, I feel,
If someone said on Christmas Eve,
"Come; see the oxen kneel,
"In the lonely barton by yonder coomb
Our childhood used to know,"
I should go with him in the gloom,
Hoping it might be so’
Thomas Hardy
Comments