The Christmas Miracle as Told by the Animals in the Manger
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Howard cleared his throat but the young couple didn't notice. He did it a second time but much louder. That seemed to work as the young couple turned and noticed their presence. "Good evening," Howard said with some pomp. "I am Howard Brown Jr., president of Mouse Transportation Company and this is my family — my wife Harriet, my daughter Henrietta and my son Henry Brown," he said with pride. "It's a pleasure to meet you," the man said. "I'm Joseph and this is my wife Mary. Is there a place for the donkey?” "The donkey? Oh, yes, yes, certainly. Just put him in the stall with the donkey whose name is Bruno.” "Bruno! Bruno!" Howard yelled. "Move over, you're getting company!" "But I don't want company," Bruno complained. "I've always lived alone in this stall." "It's not going to be forever," Howard explained. "Their donkey is just as tired as the humans who came with them. Remember, we look after each other," Howard told him. Bruno sighed and moved next to the wall. Joseph's donkey walked in, said "thank you" and quickly went to sleep. "I hope he doesn't snore," Bruno thought, as he too felt the effect of a hard day's work, fell asleep, and began to snore. The Brown family quickly began tidying up, removing old hay and stubble from the trough, which was soon to be a newborn's crib. Even Lucy the lamb got involved. After the Howards cleaned out the trough, Lucy brought mouthfuls of clean hay, which the Browns lovingly arranged. It wasn't long after that they completed their arranging for their new guests that everyone heard Mary begin to groan, as birthing pains began. "This is NO place for a baby to be born," thought Henrietta, "but there's just no other place." After the child was born their parents lovingly wrapped the baby in swaddling clothes. Seeing this brought tears to Harriet's eyes, reminding her of the births of Henry and Henrietta. After the baby had settled down, Harriet heard Mary whispering something to Joseph. She moved closer to what was now a crib. She overheard the story of how an angel of the Lord appeared to Mary to tell her that she would give birth to a son and that she would name him Jesus, the Savior who would save the world from their sins. But Joseph already knew this because a similar thing happened to him. But one thing Harriett didn't understand — what was this about Jesus saving the world from their sins? No sooner had Henrietta finished that thought than a flurry of feathers missed the overhang under which the new couple was now living, and screeched to a halt, stopped by the hoof of Bruno who was so sound asleep he didn't even notice. The Browns dashed over to Pedro wondering why their friend would have such a reckless landing. By the time they arrived, Pedro was shaking his head from the daze he got by colliding with Bruno's hoof. When he saw the Brown's he got soooo excited. "You won't believe, you just won't believe it! In fact, I'm not sure I still believe it and I'm the one who saw it!” "Saw what?" Henry asked. Pedro seemed to ignore the question. "Here I am, just soaring around Bethlehem. You know how much I like to soar, right? With the wind under your wings, you just let the wind do all the work and if you're lucky you don't even have to move your wings to fly . . . you just soar!” "All right, Pedro," Howard said, "I'm going to bring you back down to earth. Now, what EXACTLY did you see that got you so excited you wanted to tell us?" "Oh yes, oh yes, the good news.” "What good news?" Howard asked with frustration. "Well, here I am flying just outside of Bethlehem, and there happened to be some shepherds watching their flock tonight, nothing unusual right? Whooooaaa! But that sight, you just won't believe it! "No, I guess we won't — if you never tell us what you saw!" Howard practically screamed at Pedro. "Okay, okay, don't get your tail in a knot," Pedro responded."Okay, here it is. I'm watching these shepherds when all of a sudden a figure surrounded in a bright light appears right next to them. I do a quick double-take, you know? Shake my head a few times, thinking maybe the cold air has gotten to me . . . but nope, the person surrounded by a bright light standing next to the shepherds is still there so I zoom in to eavesdrop. Yeah, not polite, but that's what I do. By the time I zoom in down there, I hear this person, he must have been an angel, tell these shepherds something about good news of great joy that will be for all the people. And the reason for the good news is that there is a baby born today, right now, in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." "Now the next statement almost made me drop from the sky. And I remember it word for word because . . . well, you'll understand after I tell you." "And this will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." The Browns just looked at Pedro. "Don't you all get it? Pedro asked. Just because I crash-landed into Bruno doesn't mean I can't put two and two together. That angel was talking about your human guests," he exclaimed. "How long has the Brown family been here, Howard?" Pedro asked. "Long enough to know that Bethlehem is known as the City of David, right? And you have a newborn wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manager and the baby's name is . . ." Henrietta gasped. "Jesus!"
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About the Book
This story revolves around a family of mice, a donkey, a lamb, and a pigeon. Mr. Henry Brown is president of Mouse Transportation Company in Bethlehem of Judea. Harriet is his wife and they have a son and a daughter, Henry and Henrietta. Lucy the lamb and Bruno the donkey have been an integral part of the Brown's life for several years and they're all like family. However, Pedro the pigeon is a site to behold. He provides the antics and tests the patience of Mr. Brown. Yet Pedro is considered to be part of the family too, as he flies in and out of their lives. The extended family faces life's hardships, just like everyone else. But they happen to be living in a manger that God has chosen to give birth to his only son, Jesus. They deal with the intrigue of wicked King Herod, are amazed at the majestic magi, and are humbled by the lowly shepherds. After Jesus' birth, the Brown's realize that there is a peace amongst them that they had never known. But with King Herod's evil intentions, will it last?
About the Author
Lieutenant Colonel Mark Hughes, a native of Muskogee, Okla., retired from the Marine Corps in 1996. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism in education with a history minor and a master's in communication. As a public affairs officer, he was responsible for writing, editing, taking photographs, and publishing military newspapers. Additionally, Mark worked with the media and the community, answering questions and resolving issues. His assignments included New River Air Station, N.C.; Camp Lejuene, N.C.; U.S. Central Command, Tampa, Fla.; Camp Butler, Okinawa, Japan; and New York, New York. His deployments included Panama, Operation Restore Hope (Somalia), and Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm (Saudi Arabia). His schooling includes The Basic School, Amphibious Warfare College, the Defense Information School, and Command and Staff College. His awards include the Bronze Star (meritorious), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal, among others. He has been married to his wife, Teresa, for 41 years and they have two four-legged kids, Chase and Ruby.