Christmas In The Barn

I didn’t grow up with Santa, or stockings hung by the fireplace, or the tingling wait on Christmas morning to open presents. It all sounds like a lot of fun, but I never missed it. There was, however, one Christmas story that I hoped was true and that I fervently wished that I could take part in. Somewhere I’d heard that on Christmas night, all of the animals talk. Of course, animals talk all of the time, just not in the same language as their people. The story was that the animals, in the shadowy nighttime light (there’s always a moon glowing through the barn windows in this story) start talking in English! To each other! If you slipped into the barn, you were welcomed into their conversation. As a child, I imagined living on a farm, and on Christmas night, tip-toeing out in my nightgown, cuddling up next to a warm cow, and hearing the animals talk. In my imagination, I could smell the hay, hear the stomp of a horse’s hoof, and listen to the squeaky mouse voices.

Back then, I didn’t think much about chickens, but I do now wonder about the Christmas conversation these girls would be having.

Should I go out tonight and listen? What would the boys say?

In all likelihood, it’s exactly what they tell me everyday.

We’re filled with love.

Our bellies are grumbling.

What are you doing? We’ll join you and make it more interesting.

I don’t need to stay up until midnight to hear my animals. They talk to me all the time.

All of us here, in all of our voices, wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

Comments:

  3. Lovely piece, Terry …. love all your Little Pond voices. Thank you.

  6. I’m sure your animals would have much to say about how well you take care of them, and how nice it is that you share it all with us! We love it! Have a peaceful holiday!

  7. Back in the days (40+ years ago) when I had about 200 ewes, I visited the barn every night before I went to bed. That Christmas Eve visit was always magical; contented ewes chewing their cuds and maybe the odd early lambs. Now I visit my chickies. I talk to them, touch their crops to make sure they’re full, and wish them a good night–and they often reply with a little murmer. The guineas are not quite so friendly; they might hiss a little (but their vocabulary is more limited than the hens). I’ll do the same tonight and think of our Lord entering the world in a stable, surrounded by gentle creatures. He chose the right place.

    Happy Christmas to everyone and may the new year bring green pastures and contented critters.

  9. What a beautiful post. My kitty, Rusty, is a descendant of the cat that was there on the first Christmas night. He carries the mark of Mary on his forehead. Blessings to your family as your Chanukah celebration continues!
    Deborah

    • Mackerel tabbies are the best. I have long haired one myself. And lovely post Terry. A Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah to y’all.
      I grew up in a family that was multi-religious my father’s side of the family was Jewish and my mother’s is Southern Baptist. So I celebrated both, they were both quite special to me growing. I would light candles with my Bubbie and play dreidel while eating the little gold chocolate coins. Then on Christmas they would come over to eat with my mother’s family. While I am not close to father, I will always treasure the memories I had with paternal grandparents. And while not Jewish myself, it is part of my heritage that I will always remember.

  11. Our family wishes everyone at Little Pond Farm a beautiful day and a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Your pictures and words are beautiful. Will be late coming home this evening but the girls and I will share some words and snuggling.

  12. All the Swedish Animals tonight are waiting for the little mystical Tomten and his bowl of hot rice pudding he shares with them in the wee hours of Christmas morning. Between you and me Terry, I think they’re wishing you the same holiday thoughts!

  13. I was an only child with a whimsical imagination and animals as “siblings” and must have heard the same Christmas story you did. Plus the fairies and elves in my Enid Blyton books were always out at night, too. It made perfect sense to everyone whenever I went missing in my nightgown to find me curled up somewhere outside with the creatures. Though I try to keep my nightgown-traipsing to a minimum, these days, I still keep my ear open at Christmas, just in case. You never know!

    Happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas to you and your family, Terry! Wishing you joy for the holidays.

  15. Happy Holidays to you and your family Terry and to all the readers on this blog all the world over!

  18. Merry Christmas Terry! It’s a real treat to read your inspiring thoughts throughout the year. I look forward to more in 2012!

  19. Terry, thank you for the joy you have brought my heart. I moved back here to help out my folks – mom suffers from severe dementia. Where I used to live my friends and I celebrated WINTER SOLSTICE. My family is very diverse religion wise. Live by the golden rule Do unto others as you would have done to you! HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you at Little Pond Farm and Little Pond Farm followers. Oh, I got my Terry Golson books that were on my wish list!

  21. Terry, I am sure you’ve seen the movie “Babe”. The goat on the left looks like he is singing….”fa la la la la” (hehehe).