I remember it quite well, I do! It was a night I shall never forget. I had been pulling a cart full of straw, and I was so tired. My master hadn't even brushed me down. He had simply tied me in the stall, put some hay in front of me, and left for the night. Lazily, I ate and drank some water. Then I began to doze off, knowing I had another hard day ahead of me tomorrow.Just as I had drifted off to sleep, I was jolted awake by the creaking of the stable doors opening. Irritated, I stomped at the ground to let the intruders that they had interrupted my rest. First to enter was the fat old innkeeper, looking quite sleepy himself. Then came a gentle looking young girl along with a tall, bearded young man.

I could see right away that the girl was with child and was very weary. The young man also walked very in a weary manner as if they had traveled a great distance. I was somewhat curious so I decided ti investigate the scene. Most assuredly they had come on a donkey like myself, so why not ask my own kind what all this late-night fuss was about. I looked around the dark stable, and in the corner I noticed a obviously tired donkey who could have been the mode of transportation for the couple of travelers. Questioning him as confidently as I could I found out that this sleepy little animal had carried some very special cargo. The man was named Joseph; the girl was called Mary. They had travelled from Jerusalem by order of the Holy Spirit. Can you imagine that? Then the donkey told me something which thrilled my heart, not only for my master's sake but for all of mankind. He told me that the girl named Mary had conceived a child by the Holy Spirit, and the child was to be called Immanuel. This child was to be the Savior sent by God to redeem fallen man. Even as a mere donkey, I knew God had created all things and that man had been created in God's image. I had also heard that man had fallen from grace and was doomed to an eternal hell. It was the conversation all over the country, even among the animals. Can you imagine my excitement when told of this happening? I had always found God to be true and faithful, but this news astounded me. On with my story! I tried to get as close to the couple as possible. The woman seemed to be in great pain, and I felt awfully sorry for her having to lay here on a bed of straw. The man seemed to be quite anxious about something, but I somehow felt like everything was going to be okay. Then suddenly the girl gasped in pain, and a loud scream came from her lips. Of course, now everyone would be awake. Oh well, no rest for the weary. The next instant a baby's head appeared, and I knew this had to be the child everyone had spoken of. All the animals in the stable gathered round the trio and tried to catch a glimpse of the Holy child. Ah, a fine young boy, he was! Somehow, I now knew that the human race was in for a big change. Now, there was hope in the air! Not too long after some obviously wealthy men arrived in search of the baby. They were adorned in lavish clothes and rode on, of all things, camels. I heard them say they had come from a far place after following a star guiding them to this very stable. I stood in the dusty stall, just taking this all in. I tried to imagine the Creator putting all of these events into place-even to the reason Joseph and Mary were here and not in Jerusalem. They had come here to be taxed because of a law that Caesar Augustis had proclaimed. I had overheard Joseph talking to the innkeeper about this. All of these things had to be precisely arranged in order for the Messiah to come. God surely must love mankind a lot. Sometimes, I wish I could have been made in the image of God, but I was created a donkey for some reason, I guess. Maybe it was to tell the story from a donkey's point of view. What a story for me to share!!!

• Topic: Creative Writings

• Printer Friendly Page
• Send to a Friend