Legend of the Christmas Animals

On Christmas Eve in Poland, the people celebrate an age-old custom

called Wigillia (the vigil), a feast honoring the birth of the Christ

Child. It is a popular belief in the villages that on this night, children and those people who have pure

hearts can talk with the animals. It is such a blessed night that animals

can talk with humans about the miracle they witnessed in that very first Christmas stable. And so it is that all God’s creatures, great and

small, are blessed on this holy night of miracles!

The Friendly Beasts1. Jesus, our brother, kind and good,

Was humbly born in a stable rude,

And the friendly beasts around Him stood;

Jesus, our brother, kind and good.

2. “I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown,

“I carried His Mother up hill and down;

I carried Her safely to Bethlehem town.”

“I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown.

3. “I,” said the cow, all white and red,

I gave Him my manger for His bed,

I gave Him my hay to pillow His head,”

“I,” said the cow, all white and red.

4. “I,” said the sheep with curly horn,“I gave Him my wool for His blanket warm,

He wore my coat on Christmas morn.”“I,” said the sheep with the curly horn.

5. “I,” said the dove from the rafters high,“Cooed Him to sleep, that he should not cry,

We cooed Him to sleep, my mate and I.”“I,” said the dove from the rafters high.

6. “I,” said the camel, yellow and black,“Over the desert, upon my back

I brought Him a gift in the Wise Men’s pack,”“I,” said the camel, yellow and black.

7. Thus every beast by some good spell,In the stable dark was glad to tellOf the gift he gave Emmanuel,

The gift he gave Emmanuel.

We Were The First

Angel Messengers

Rise Up, Shepherds

Mr. & Mrs. Rabbit

Good Evening, My Friends

A Warm & Wooly Blanket

I have wool to make a warm and wooly blanket for the King.

It will be my gift to Him. It will keep him warm and protected

while He is in his mother’s arms, safe from harm. It is the gift

I can bring to Him

Mr. & Mrs. Goose

Good Evening, My Friends

How Poor is His Bed

Through the weary night

Good Evening, My Friends

We Were the first

So Sad It Is

Joy shall be yours in the morning

Responsive Reading

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called:

ALL:

Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward all!

The Blessing

• The God of peace be with you all!• And also with you.• May the Lord bless you with His grace,

and give us a spirit of unity and love as we follow our Savior, so that with one heart and one voice we may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Amen! Come, Lord Jesus Come! Amen.

Thank you for coming this evening and sharing your lovely children with us! We invite you to sample Christmas cookies and punch in the parlor.

We pray this has been a meaningful beginning to your advent season.