On the outskirts of town the stable stood,
Just rocks and hay and splintered wood.
Though drafty and old, the stable was built there,
To shelter the sheep and the donkey who dwelt there.
It was home to a rooster, some hens and a cow,
A horse and a mare and an old makeshift plow.
And up in the rafters overlooking the rest,
A family of cardinals had built their snug nest.
Two parent cardinals and two tiny birds,
Bound by a love that transcends words,
Shared a life that was modest, simple and slow
With other barn animals living below.
In this humble stable, both broken and old,
The story of Christmas was about to unfold.
‘Twas late in the evening, and late in the year,
The stars were quite bright – for the sky was quite clear.
Softly the mother cardinal did sing
A song to her youngest, tucked under her wing.
The stable was hushed by her sweet lullaby,
As all the barn creatures settled in for the nigh’.
They hadn’t noticed the star shining bright as a jewel.
And they were sleeping when the travelers arrived on their mule –
A poor man, and a woman in a family way,
Who arrived late in town and had no place to stay.
They had been sent to the stable, travel-weary and worn,
To rest and take shelter until night became morn.
The man gathered hay and straw into a mound,
To soften their resting place there on the ground.
Together they knelt, as if saying a prayer,
And then laid on the hay in the manger they shared
With a horse and a mare, a cow and some sheep.
Now awake, the cardinal mom sang them to sleep.
It wasn’t long before the woman woke with a start.
There was pain in her body, and love in her heart.
The man was awaken by the poor woman’s motion.
She looked deep in his eyes. They were filled with devotion.
In labor she lay, as the cold evening chilled her.
The man felt so helpless, but stayed close and held her.
The noise woke the youngest cardinal from sleep.
He peaked out from Mom’s wing with the tiniest “Peep.”
He looked down in the manger, his eyes still a blur,
As the other barn animals were beginning to stir.
He was surprised to see visitors, and he started to say,
“Who are these people, Mom, and when did they…”
“Hush,” his mom answered in a voice soft and tender,
“Just watch,” she added, her face filled with splendor.
“You’ll see how babies are brought to this earth.”
And together they watched as the woman gave birth.
And they watched as the man stroked the young woman’s hair.
And they watched as he cuddled the baby with care.
And they watched as the woman reached out for the child.
And they watched as she cradled him, tender and mild.
There was love in the tears the young couple cried,
That touched the hearts of the cardinals, and warmed them inside
With a love pure and mighty, from wing tip to beak.
It was awhile before the youngest was able to speak.
But he noticed the star, shining bright in the sky,
And he watched as his mom brushed a tear from her eye.
“It’s a miracle,” he said, sure his mother agreed.
And she did. She repeated, “A miracle, indeed.”
Neither had ever felt more hope and joy
Than on this holy night, upon the birth of this boy.
The cardinals didn’t know the child was a king.
They never heard choirs of angels sing.
Though shepherds and wise men came and went,
They didn’t know each had been heaven-sent.
They just knew this child was a glorious treasure,
And that God’s gift of life is a gift without measure.
As peace takes flight on the wings of a dove
On a scarlet cardinal’s wings flies love.
Fabletime 