The fact is, the Bible does not tell us whether or not animals were present on the night Jesus was born.

The familiar creche (a model or tableau celebrating the birth of Jesus, placed in homes and public places around the world during the Christmas season), is the invention of the animal-loving Saint Francis, in 1223, in the town of Greccio, Italy.

Like Saint Francis, some of my most favorite images included in creches today are a donkey, a cow and a few tranquil sheep. But were there really animals present at the birth of Jesus?

The Gospel of Matthew tells of the Magi, or wise men, following a star, but he doesn’t say there are three of them, and most likely they arrived well after Jesus’ birth. Luke mentions a manger, shepherds, and an angelic choir. Neither of them say a very pregnant Mary rode into town on a donkey, and there is no mention of animals in the stable. However, since Jesus was born in a stable, it seems likely some were there.

Cattle (oxen), a donkey, and some sheep are animal lore we have come to appreciate over generations of celebrating Christmas. Lutheran scholar, Frederick Roth Webber, identifies the ox as “traditionally representing patience, the nation of Israel, and Old Testament sacrificial worship, while the donkey represents humility, readiness to serve, and the Gentiles.”

[1]

And, of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas if we all didn’t sing:

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.

The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,

The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,

But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.

I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky

And stay by my cradle til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay

Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,

And take us to heaven, to live with Thee there.[2]

I choose to believe animals were present on that glorious night. A donkey, perhaps, a cow nearby, and not far off, some sheep startled by an angel choir. It’s possible Saint Francis may also have envisioned a cat wandering in on this extraordinary scene, one of our most ordinary and beloved of all animals.

Personally, I like to think there was a handsome dog, sitting quietly off to one side, intent on observing this holy scene—like GAGE the Wonder Dog, who will listen quietly this Christmas, as he and I sit together by the fireplace with the children in my family, and I read to them the story of Jesus’ birth. I’ll bet your dog would like to hear the story, too. Maybe surrounded by your children or grandchildren, listening as you read to your dog.

GAGE has traveled thousands of miles with me, and he’s only 18 months old this Christmas. Recently he flew across the US with me to celebrate a Thanksgiving week with my son and his family, some of GAGE’s favorite people. Then we flew to Florida to spend three weeks together, just the two of us, reading, planning, writing, and resting, too. Sometimes he growls about so much traveling, but wants you to know, through it all he is holding up well.

Maybe your children would enjoy seeing and hearing about his travels from GAGE himself.

What. We’re leaving again? We just got here. I like this place. Savannah is a cool town!

So why do you get the window and I always have to lay on the floor or sit in the middle seat when we fly?

Okay, I’ll admit this is worth being in Florida and getting up early to see. Now let’s eat!

Don’t worry, guys. I’ve got his back—or his front, or whatever it is, I’ve got it!

This is a rip. No dogs are allowed in the pool! So why is it even there? 

OUR SECOND NIGHT IN FLORIDA

THIS is MY bed now. I let the Master sleep here, but only if he feeds me and picks up after me, which is a dog owner’s purpose anyway.

I sleep really well on my bed. My master—not so much. I guess it was my feet in his face that kept him awake last night. He tried pushing me away, but I weigh about 70 pounds, and I was dreaming and dead to the world! He says this is another reason when we get home the chances are slim to none I’ll get to sleep on his bed. I’m not saying anything. I’ll woof about it with him later.

Maybe your children or grandchildren can imagine and talk about the pets in your home who might have been close by on that holy and yet so human night. The night Jesus was born!

Merry Christmas!

[1] Webber, F.R., Kessinger Publishing, 2003.

[2]     The song was first published in Philadelphia by the General Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in its collection, Little Children’s Book for Schools and Families with two versesin 1885.  The song bore the title “Away In A Manger” and was set to a tune called “St. Kilda,” credited to J.E. Clark  No lyricist was credited for the words of the song.