Ive shared this video before because, without words, it speaks volumes; touching my heart and soul. Here IS a baby in a manger and who should want getting closest to it and does but its little puppy. There has always been a folk tale, a spin off of Thomas Hardys poem The Oxen, that when Christ was born the first living beings/creatures laying eyes on him were the animals surrounding the manger; simple farm animals yet each in their own right nothing shy of angels overlooking this infant newborn. The legend continues that every Christmas Eve animals all over the world, in reverence, knell and bow, in honor of this child born over 2,000 years ago. I doubt anyone has actually seen this phenomenon occur (I know as a child I would always go outside and check, hoping for The Christmas Miracle) but simply the idea and image in my heart and mind brings me to me knees along with them. Here is a true-life story along with the poem. The Stables At Midnight: A Christmas Story By: Anne Flyzik I have a true story to tell about midnight on Christmas. It happened in 1991 or 92. My marriage had ended, and I was leasing a farm as a boarding stable. I had around 20 horses at Christmas that year. My son was then 5 or 6 years old and knew the Thomas Hardy poem about all the animals kneeling down at midnight on Christmas Eve. He begged and begged to go to the stable at midnight, but I put him off, not wanting to disappoint him in this year of so many disappointments. You see, I had a lot of horses that did not like to lie down even in the wee hours of the night, including two mares whose owners told me theyd had those two for years and had yet to even see them off their feet. A number of the others would lie down, but would immediately get up when someone entered the barn or came near them. Well, that Christmas Eve, Conor woke up at 11:30 and begged to go to the stable to see if it was true. My heart was a little heavy as we went down. It was 11:59. We entered the barn at midnight, flashlight in hand. EVERY horse was kneeling. We walked down one side and back up the other. Every horse was kneeling; none got up. None were flat on their sides, not even the yearling. And the two mystery mares were also kneeling; so were the track lay-ups who always jumped to their feet when people approached: every single one of them. It was so hushed and quiet and beautiful. The faith of a child.... Conor is 13 now and stands 510. He still says to me, Remember that Christmas Eve when we went down to the barn to see if the horses were kneeling? Its one of my most special lifetime memories. Thomas Hardys The Oxen (1915) 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.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 00:33:40 +0000