Children

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MOUSE IN THE MANGER



Abbie was up in the cow’s feeding trough. The left over hay was a delicious supper for her. Her brown fur blended in so well that no one could see her and the gentle sounds of the animals settling in for the night made her feel safe.

Abbie peeked over the edge of the manger. The gentle old cow looked at her with soft brown eyes. Abbie squeaked, “Thank you!” and returned to her supper.

Abbie had lived in the stable her whole life. The only people she saw were the innkeeper and his servant. They came every day to feed and milk the cow. The donkey ate from the same trough as the cow. The doves nested high up on the beams. These were the only family that Abbie knew.

Abbie finished her meal and scampered over to where Belle, the cow was resting on the hay. “It’s cold tonight, isn’t it Belle?”

“Yes, little one. Be sure you stay snuggled up and warm.”

Abbie crawled under the hay next to Belle and made a soft, warm nest. She looked around her. She liked her home and she loved her family. “Good night” she called.

“Good night” came the reply from all the other animals.

“Grrrrrrr! Grrrrrr!” Abbie’s tummy rumbled loudly. It grumbled so loudly that it woke Abbie up.

“Oh my, I need a snack.” She quietly made her way to the manger and climbed up. She had just started to nibble when she heard voices! “Oh Dear! I need to hide!” She buried herself under the hay.

Abbie heard several different voices. She recognized the innkeeper as he said, “I’m sorry. This is the best that I can do. The inn is full with people coming to pay their taxes. I know your wife needs a place to rest!”

A gentle voice answered, “This will be fine. Thank you for your kindness!”

“Yes, we’ll be fine.” Another voice answered.

Abbie climbed up to the edge of the manger. Looking out she saw a man gently helping a young woman down off a donkey. She looked very tired. She walked very slowly into the stable.

“Here Mary, sit on this hay while I fix you a place to rest.”

“Thank you, Joseph. I am tired."

Abbie waited until the man and woman had laid down on the hay to rest. Then she climbed out of the manger and hurried to Belle’s side.

Belle looked down at her and smiled. “I wondered where you were. We have guests in our home, so you had better stay out of their way!”

Abbie understood. She didn’t know why the innkeeper didn’t like her. He liked Belle and Connor, the donkey. But whenever any of the people saw Abbie, they tried to chase her out of the stable!

Abbie burrowed in beside Belle and went back to sleep.

“WAA! WAA!”

A horrible, loud noise woke Abbie. She was very frightened. Quickly she scurried up next to Belle’s ear and whispered. “What is it, Belle? What is that terrible noise?”

Belle smiled and nodded her head toward the manger. The noise seemed to be coming from her feeding trough!

Abbie looked at Belle, “Can I go see? Is it safe?”

Belle lowed gently. “Yes child, it is safe.”

Connor brayed as quietly as he could, “It is a very special night Abbie!”

Abbie made her way to the manger and climbed carefully up to the top. She peeked in and was amazed! There, lying where her supper had been was a tiny little person! The loud noise was coming from him!

“What is it, Connor?” she squeaked.

“It is a human baby. He has just been born, right here in our stable!”

Abbie could tell that this was something special, but she really didn’t understand. She looked back at the baby. He had stopped making all that noise and was sucking on his thumb. She didn’t think he would hurt her.

“Abbie! Get down! Quick!” Belle’s whisper came.

Abbie scurried down into the hay as the man came over to the manger.

“I can’t believe it, Mary! He’s here! Jesus is here!”

“I know, Joseph. God’s son has been born!”

Abbie’s little ears perked up. “God’s son? In our stable? No way!” She thought.

She remembered Connor and Belle telling her the story. That one day a king would be born. He would be God’s son. But a king wouldn’t be born in a stable!

She wanted to get to Belle. She had so many questions! But the man and woman were sitting right beside the manger.

Then she heard a gentle lowing, a cooing lullaby, and the sweetest sound that had ever come from Connor. She looked up. All the animals were standing by the manger looking at the child.

Belle spoke, “It’s all right little one, come out. You have nothing to fear.”

Abbie crept out of her hiding place. “Is he the one? The King? The one who created us all?”

“Yes.” The doves cooed. “It is He!”

Abbie stood as tall as her little legs would let her. She gazed at the child, now sleeping peacefully in the manger full of hay.

“Look Joseph! Even the animals know!”

“Yes, Mary. The angels proclaimed His arrival to the shepherds and the Creator Himself whispered it to the animals.

“Well, all creatures, great and small, were made by Him!” Mary giggled as she pointed, “Even that mouse in the manger!”

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