By Jim Tysick, Northern Connections Adult Learning Centres –Sharbot Lake

Susan Ducharme has something extra to celebrate this Christmas. As of December 16, Susan will have completed her college program at Northern Connections Adult Learning Centres. She will be leaving with a certificate in Small Business Bookkeeping from Loyalist College.

In the summer of 2009, Susan came to Northern Connections to access employment services. After previously working in landscaping and traffic control, she was looking for a less physical job. Our employment counselor suggested that Susan apply for Second Career funding. She was accepted for the funding, and in September 2009, she began to do upgrading at Northern Connections to get ready for her college program. When she started her Loyalist College bookkeeping program in January 2010, she was able to do it online at Northern Connections.

Susan admits that when she first came to Northern Connections she felt a bit overwhelmed. After all, she had been out of school for a number of years and she didn’t have much computer knowledge. The staff, however, helped her when she needed assistance and it wasn’t long before she felt comfortable in her new role as a student. Susan has learned a lot over the last year and a half at Northern Connections. In the new year, she hopes to get a job in bookkeeping.

Another person who received her college training through Loyalist College at Northern Connections is Patricia Ramirez. Patricia completed her Office Administration-Medical Transcriptionist Diploma in August and is now employed at the Menoyawin Hospital in Sioux Lookout, Ontario.

Maybe you have been considering a new career that needs college, but you don’t want to move or make the commute? Doing an online college program at Northern Connections Adult Learning Centres may be your answer. If you would like to know more about how Northern Connections can help you with your future call us at 613-279-2499 or 613-336-0691 or drop by at 24719 Highway #7 Sharbot Lake or 12345 Highway #41 Northbrook. For information as to what funding may be available to you please contact your nearest Employment Service office.

Next Christmas you too could have something extra to celebrate. As Susan Ducharme points out, “If I did it, most people can!”

In the rush to purchase gifts for this holiday season, shoppers should remember the wealth of creative local talent that lies hidden in the multitude of artisan home studios down the back roads. Many, I learned, would be happy to assist shoppers in their last minute rush to fill those Christmas stockings with unique handmade treasures.

I ran across four such artisans at the Nick of Time Show in Perth on Dec 5 and for shoppers who might not have been able to make the trip, rest assured that these artisans would be happy to answer your calls and set up an appointment to help you make some last minute purchases.

Tanya Deacove and Raphael Kerem both work out of Radiance of the Ordinary, their home, workshop and showroom located in Burridge (613-273-5693). Tanya creates meticulous handmade journals, photo albums, sketchbooks, address books and note pads using Japanese papers, silk and other fine materials, which she binds and stitches together by hand. Prices range from $3 to $40 and each is a colourful feast for the eyes. Her partner Raphael Kerem, also a yurt builder, makes colourful hand-crafted brushes and brooms for all kinds of sweeping opportunities around the home or workshop. The bristles are made from broom corn fibres which are hand woven and strung together. The colourful handles are made from local wood saplings turned on the lathe and then hand painted. Prices range from $20-$95. These are practical gifts that are as beautiful to look at as they are to use.

Mark Burnham of the Out of Wood Studio in Maberly (613-268-2598) has a wide selection of one of a kind bowls, candle holders, spoons and walking sticks and more all of which he creates using local hardwoods. Many of his pieces are hand carved and are perfect for those looking for functional wooden items that have the added charm and touch of the artisan’s hand.

Ludwig Ratzinger (613-279-2986) makes hand-crafted high quality fine chocolate bars and sells a wide selection in various flavours including lime, mint, maple almond, pine nut, which he says are “the perfect accompaniment to a glass of champagne or port” during the holiday season. The cocoa beans are in many cases harvested from wild trees in Bolivia, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Ecuador and are refined in Switzerland and made into bars at Ludwig's home in Crow Lake. Prices range from $3-$22 and the bars are wrapped festively, making them a perfect, no-fuss hostess gift.

So for those shoppers still on the lookout for unique gift giving opportunities, these local artisans are just a phone call away.

Photo: Ebeneezer Scrooge, played masterfully by Fred Colwell, sees the light on stage at the Bellrock Schoolhouse Theatre

In a special performance on December 15, members of the Bellrock community presented Dickens' famed classic A Christmas Carol at the Bellrock Schoolhouse Theatre. The play was a pared down but impressive take on the classic tale of the man whose name now applies to modern-day Christmas skeptics and misers. It was produced and directed by Fred Colwell (who also played the lead role of Scrooge), with Suki Falkner managing the stage and set design.

This is the tale of the cold-hearted, cheapskate Ebenezer Scrooge, who miserably fails to empathize with his fellow human beings. Miraculously, Scrooge changes his ways after being visited successively by numerous ghosts; first that of Marley, his former business partner (Tom Falkner), then the ghost of Christmas Past, (Dick Miller), and lastly Christmas Present (Bob Brown). The visitations ultimately lead to Scrooge's rebirth and in the end he is transformed into a compassionate and generous old mensch.

The set was designed masterfully by Suki Falkner, given the smallish stage and the generous length of the tale. The first hurdle was overcome by keeping the sets to a manageable minimum and cleverly utilizing the stage doors as the windows into Scrooge's numerous ghostly visions.

As for the production's length, it ran for just over an hour thanks to the two narrators, Connie Shibley and Tom Falkner, who read a good portion of the play expertly and with great feeling from the script. This gave the actors the chance to take on the more dramatic events in the play and they did so to great effect. These memorable scenes included many at the home of Bob Cratchit (Dick Miller) with his wife, played by Connie Shibley and their loving family, including the crippled young Tiny Tim (Tye Stover) who had the last and most memorable line in the play.

By far though, it was Fred Colwell's masterful Scrooge that took the play to its most inspired heights, with Colwell first portraying him as a scowling, crusty old hunched-up, complaining curmudgeon who, as the ghostly visions unfold, is transformed into a caring, kind and generous gentleman. Kudos also to the stagehands who transformed the stage into countless simple but warm and inviting scenes. Despite a few missed cues, which made for some rather comic moments in what was otherwise a smooth-running production, the cast and crew brought to the audience a very memorable production of this timeless tale about how even the lowest of the low can see things anew, and given some insight can change evil ways and begin life anew, thanks to a few concerned spirits. What a perfect message for this time of year.

Back to HomeFeature Article - December 20, 2012Christmas Message From the Newsby Jeff Green

After 50 weeks of publishing, it feels like there is not much left to say as we head to our annual two-week hiatus over Christmas and New Year's.

Once again this year we have been supported by our readers and the kind, and sometimes critical, things they say about the stories we cover from week to week.

This week’s paper, which is brightened up by children’s artwork, and contains Christmas recipes and thoughts from a range of sources, like all of our issues, is brought to the public by our staff and volunteers, and through the support of the advertisers who make it all possible.

Be they commercial businesses, service providers, municipalities, social service agencies, groups promoting their events, readers making announcements about births, deaths, and the accomplishments of their family members, or people selling sundry items in the classified section, all of the advertisers are crucial to our ability to keep our little paper afloat.

All we have to sell to our advertisers are the eyes of our readers, and it is our job to make the pages worth looking at. It is our pleasure to continue to work at that.

The coming year is sure to see many changes: school construction in Sydenham and Sharbot Lake; a concrete step forward in the 22-year-old Land Claims process; changes in provincial and municipal politics; and the everyday efforts of our readers to keep their communities alive and thriving.

We look forward to sharing those stories with you.

Have a Happy Christmas and New Year.

See you on January 10, 2013.

What really happened in the trenches on Christmas Day in 1914?

Photo: The Christmas Truce 1914, December 26: German soldiers of the 134th Saxon Regiment photographed with men of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in No Man's Land on the Western Front.

History is not an exact science, and neither is journalism, and the true story of what happened in the Belgian trenches between German and British Forces in the late fall and on Christmas Eve in 1914, during the First World War, will never be completely known, and since it has been 98 years since that day, there is no one left alive who was really there.

But there were stories in the press at the time about some of the events, and accounts have been collected by historians and archivists, so we know that at a number of locations along the trench lines the fighting stopped, and there was singing, visiting, the exchange of gifts (cigarettes and chocolate in the main) and at least one makeshift soccer game took place.

At many locations enemy soldiers spent time celebrating Christmas together. The Christmas Truce of 1914 did happen

The website, firstworldwar.com addresses the difference between the myths that have sprung about what happened and the actual events:

“The reality of the Christmas Truce, however, is a less romantic and a more down to earth story than some of the fictionalized accounts that have become popular. It was an organic affair that in some spots hardly registered a mention and in others left a profound impact upon those who took part. Many accounts were rushed, confused or contradictory. Others, written long after the event, are weighed down by hindsight. These difficulties aside, the true story is still striking precisely because of its rag-tagged nature: it is more 'human' and therefore all the more potent.”

The trench warfare had begun earlier that year, and over the 27 mile front where the Germans and British were separated by as little as 30 yards. The reality of the stalemate that would eventually see the trenches become fortified and fixed in place as killing grounds for four long years had not yet sunk in for the soldiers involved, many of whom would not survive the coming winter.

The Christmas truce did not affect the fronts between the Germans and the French, as Germany had invaded France at the start of the war, or the eastern front between Germany and Russia, where the bitterness between the two sides was well established.

Accounts tell of how in certain parts of the 27 mile line there had already been informal agreements made to stop firing most days at breakfast time throughout the fall of 1914. As well, many of the British soldiers had been told that the war would likely end by Christmas, but by the time the 24th of December rolled around there was no sign of an end to the war and the weather had been unseasonably warm but very wet for weeks, leaving the trenches a muddy mess with bodies laying in the mud throughout the No Man's Land between the two trenches.

In the words of one soldier, Leslie Walkerton, as cited in about.com: “We hated their guts when they killed any of our friends; then we really did dislike them intensely. But otherwise we joked about them and I think they joked about us. And we thought, well, poor so-and-so's, they're in the same kind of muck as we are.”

As Christmas approached, the British troops received boxes from the King engraved with a likeness of his daughter Mary. These 'Princess Mary Boxes' were filled with loose tobacco, butterscotch, chocolate and cigarettes. German troops received presents from Kaiser Wilhelm.

On December 24th the rain turned to snow and then the weather cleared, and in the evening, at some parts of the trench line on the German, miniature lit trees, another gift from the Kaiser, appeared above the surface.

The stories vary about how the truces started. In some cases messages were sent from the German side proposing a truce, and in others, both sides began singing carols, and responding to singing on the other side.

At some point, in numerous locations, in ones and twos, soldiers climbed out of the trenches, exposing themselves to certain death if anyone on the opposite side decided to shoot, but no one did.

Both sides met in No Man's Land; they exchanged gifts, they talked as best they could; they took the opportunity to gather up their dead and bring them back to their side of the trench for burial.

As far as many of the soldiers were concerned, the truce was almost a surreal event.

"It was absolutely astounding, and if I had seen it on a cinematograph film I should have sworn that it was faked." wrote Lieutenant Sir Edward Hulse, 2nd Scots Guards.

"What a sight; little groups of Germans and British extending along the length of our front ... Here we were laughing and chatting to men whom only a few hours before we were trying to kill" wrote Corporal John Ferguson of the Seaforth Highlanders.

Depending on what account is believed, there were one, or several, soccer games that took place. There may have been an organized matches, 11 to a side, which the Germans won 3-2, or more likely there was just a scrum with hundreds of soldiers struggling through frozen fields and bulky boots to play a game they remembered from their rapidly fleeing youth.

Returning to the business of war took place the next day in most locations, but in others the truce lingered to the new year and beyond, before the commanding officers behind the front lines regained control of the troops in the trenches. As we know, the war lumbered on for four long years, leaving 25 million people dead and setting the stage for another world war only 20 years later.

At Christmas time in 1915, 1916, and 1917 there were no repeats of the 1914 truce.

The war carried on unabated.

Back to HomeChristmas Edition - December 20, 2012Christmas 2012

Art Contest

Christmas Truce of 1914

101 Nativities Back By Popular Demand

Christmas Messages for the Clergy

Christmas Poems

Early Literacy:Holiday Books for the GivingThe Stablehand's EventualityBy Antonia Chatson

Christmas Art Contest

More than 150 drawings were submitted for our annual Christmas Art contest. They were all great, and as always, the only downside to holding the contest is that we would like to choose every drawing as the winner. We loved them all and really appreciated the hard work and creativity that went into each one. Thanks so much to everyone who entered the contest and congratulations to the winners, who are:

Overall

Overall Winner, Matthew Kotze, Elphin Ages 4-5

Above left: 1st place, Ava Fox, Senior Kindergarten

Above right: 2nd place, Sophie Ranson, Senior Kindergarten

Below left: 3rd place, Mackenzie Drew, 5

Ages 6-7

Above: 1st place, Cassie Page, grade 2

Right: 2nd place, Lexa Shelter, grade 2

Below: 3rd place, Jenna Norman, grade 2

Ages 8-10

Above Left: 1st place, Kayla Newman, 10

Above: 2nd place, Madison, grade 5

Below left: 3rd place, Tia Hyndman, 10

Ages 11 & Over

Above Left: 1st place, Emalee Riddell, 12

Above right: 2nd place, Shay, 13

Left: 3rd place, Brianna Campbell, grade 6

Photo: African Nativity scene

It took organizers Jean Freeman and Kristine Caird and numerous volunteers over six hours to set up the over 1500 pieces that made up the 101 Nativities show-(there in fact were 145 scenes this year) which took place at the Cole Lake Free Methodist church in Godfrey this past weekend. The show, which was back by popular demand after its very successful first year last Christmas, is not only a way for the church staff and members of the congregation to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, but also a way to demonstrate how Christmas unites so many people from all over the world. Included in the show this year were nativity scenes from countries from as far away as Panama, Haiti, Cuba, Mexico,, and Israel along with entries from numerous African countries.

New this year to the event was a special kids workshop led by Alexa Craven and Shannon Harper in which youngsters were invited to create their own nativity scenes using wooden tongue depressors and old fashioned clothes pegs. The event was so popular last year that organizers extended it from two to three days this time around to give more interested viewers a chance to check it out. Cole Lake's minister, Rev. Shawn Craven, said the show is great for the church in a number of ways. “The show attracts not only church members but other members of the community who come out to enjoy a snack and the show and it gives people in the community who might not otherwise have the time a chance to visit in what can be a very busy time of the year.

The show also highlights what Christmas really is about and what it represents, which is important since I think more and more people are wanting to experience what the real meaning behind the holiday is and this show does that in both an entertaining and a meaningful way.”

Back to HomeChristmas Edition - December 22, 2012Christmas 2012

Art Contest

Christmas Truce of 1914

101 Nativities Back By Popular Demand

Christmas Messages for the Clergy

Christmas Poems

Early Literacy:Holiday Books for the GivingThe Stablehand's EventualityBy Antonia Chatson

Christmas Messages from the Clergy

A  Christmas Message by Rev. Jean Brown

No sense keeping ‘Christ’ in Christmas Without Easterby Rev. Judson Bridgewater

Christmas PS By Rev. Raymand Klatt

A Christmas Messageby Rev. Jean Brown

The first Christmas celebration came unexpectedly to the participants Mary, Joseph, shepherds, wise men who all responded to God's messages to “Fear not”. It has been wisely noted that when God's messengers say “fear not”- it's time to listen, give up our fears, pray ferociously and put the future into God's hands. Such is the case in the Plevna Ompah United Church, who somewhat unexpectedly in mid-November motioned to request a congregational vote on December 3 that would close both worship sites at the end of December 2012. We could almost hear the angels' reminder of “Fear not” as we prepared to vote and also pondered up-coming Christmas celebrations. How in the world we wondered, would we celebrate Christmas this year at our two worship sites? When the vote passed, we added the pressure of a service of deconsecration on December 16 and a future of looking at best possible usage of our two worship sites, and their holy contents. We certainly understood more clearly the dilemma of Mary and Joseph, two frightened young parents who set off on a donkey, ended up giving birth to the Saviour in a barn, were visited by shepherds, wise men and angels and then had to flee for their lives to escape a jealous dictator. Certainly when they set out they had no idea of all that awaited them, and neither do we as we now set out on a journey of church closure, pondering the future, making decisions that honour God and our ancestors dreams. We don't know what the future holds, but we do know that God holds the future and just as God guided our ancestors to build the churches, so too will God guide us as we journey into closure and moving in with other existing area churches. Like Mary, who had no real plans to give birth, we had no real plans to give birth to a church closure- but with God's help, prayer, discernment, discussion we will persevere- just as our ancestors did in past years.

This might not be the Christmas we had imagined, however I always wonder just how Jesus would want us to celebrate his birthday? We know that Mary “pondered” and together they prayed and sought direction. In our Plevna Ompah United Church, we too have been pondering, praying, worrying, laughing and crying, but mostly we have been brought to our knees in prayer. One thing about church closure- it brings us closer to God and to one another and it allows the Christmas scriptures to point us in new directions.

So, if ever there was a Christmas when God's message spoke to my heart personally and to our closing churches, this was the year. We sure let go of the tinsel, lights and glitter and asked God to help us get through and God met our needs. So many kind folks offered and continue to offer their prayers, and to extend invitations to worship at their locations. So many folks have suggestions on future plans for our two churches and their contents and with God's help it will all be revealed. We have every confidence that God will open a new door and a new way to be a Church in our area. We are, in a frightened kind of way, excited for all that God has in mind for us and like Mary continue to ponder all these things, to pray, and to trust in God.

In closing, thank you dear folks of the area for your kindness. In the short time of 15 months of service in your area you have stolen my heart and the heart of my husband Allan as we've ministered with you.

My contract finishes on December 31, 2012. A well known Presbytery representative Bruce Hutchinson who has helped us out in the past will then prayerfully start to meet with the Trustees to determine just what will happen to the church buildings, and contents. In the spring of 2013 another farewell to the churches is planned when more summer folk return. God bless everyone and thanks ferociously.

No sense keeping ‘Christ’ in Christmas Without Easter

By The Reverend Judson Bridgewater, Parish of Loughborough

“Roses are reddish, violets are bluish if it wasn’t for Christmas we’d all be Jewish.” This politically incorrect and sexist ditty from British comedian Benny Hill’s TV show shaped my early understanding of Christmas and Christianity...even after my Dad tried to set me straight.

“No”, he said, “People aren’t Christians because of Christmas. It’s because of Easter. And why were you watching Benny Hill?” (I was 9 at the time.)

You should know, I did not grow up in a religious household; neither was my father a historian nor a theologian. In fact, he identified himself as an atheist. And yet, he was quite sure that the reason people revered Jesus many years ago and why generations of people today continue to follow and worship Jesus has little to do with the spectacular birth stories retold each year at Christmas.

And sheepishly, I now have to admit that I was 19 before I experienced what my Dad was trying to tell me. And yet, I wonder how many people wanting to ‘keep Christ in Christmas’ today understand what my Dad was talking about.

Is the miraculous birth of Jesus really enough reason to celebrate ‘God’s gift to the world’ 2000 years later? Maybe this birthday is as good as any to throw an awesome party and visit with distant family & friends but really, is the birth of Jesus what motivates anyone to worship Jesus as God this Christmas?

I don’t think so. In fact, I am certain that the only reason we know anything about Jesus’ birth (or earthly ministry of healing the sick and feeding the poor) centres upon what the first followers experienced after Jesus had died on the cross. Something remarkable happened. Something marvellous occurred. Something miraculous and maybe even a little scary was witnessed by the first followers of Jesus.

I’m talking about the mystery of the first Easter, when Jesus was resurrected from the dead. What ever happened at the resurrection and subsequent days shook people to the core. This experience encouraged them to talk and eventually write about a Jesus who had defeated death and appeared to many people afterwards. For these followers (as for later generations) who claim that the Spirit of Jesus continued to empower, comfort, and reconcile them with the divine, Jesus is much more than a nice guy who did nice things for people long ago. Jesus is more than a baby born to Mary in a manger.

For some, baby Jesus will remain ancient history, a myth or fairy tale; however for others, the Risen Jesus is God’s gift of abundant life, peace, justice, and forgiveness now and forever. It is a gift that is experienced rather than read about, talked about, bought or sold - as I discovered while sitting in an old stone church one Sunday as a teenager.

And in an era where abundant life, peace, justice, and forgiveness seem in short supply, my hope is that more people will experience this type of gift. Merry Christmas and Happy Easter!

Christmas "PS"

By Rev. Raymond Klatt, Pastor of River of Life Christian Fellowship, Plevna

PROBLEMS: Joseph and Mary had some serious problems as they became the Christmas Story. Mary was pregnant - that was a problem because the child wasn't Joseph's, it was God's. Try explaining that to your family and friends. But Joseph and Mary were both obedient to God's will - both of them were willing to do their part in God's plan to send His Son to earth.

Let me share three obvious problems that Joseph and Mary faced and see if they don't sound like something you and I might face.

1. Taxes

2. Travel

3. Too many people.

The whole point in having to register was so that the Romans could accurately calculate how much tax they were going to levy against the Jews. On top of that, the Emperor was forcing everyone to travel to their family's hometown for the census.

The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem was about 90 miles. So we have a financial burden, coupled with the burden of a long, and dangerous journey, and then on top of that, a mass of people that were all in the same situation.

Then Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger, which was a feed box for the animals.

PROMISE: When God sent angels to announce the birth of His Son He didn't send them to the religious leaders or the elite of society. He sent angels to shepherds. And yet, God chose these unlikely recipients to hear His message of promise.

All the Jews had been waiting for the coming Messiah. The angels spoke words of promise to the shepherds---the Messiah would be a SAVIOUR and His salvation would for all people.

The promise is still available today. God is still in the saving business and if you haven't claimed His promise, today is the day to do so.

PROCLAIM: The shepherds took off for Bethlehem to see it for themselves. They did not wait around. They simply got up and went straight to Bethlehem. What did they find? Exactly what the angels had told them and they also began proclaiming the birth of the Messiah to everyone who would listen. Wouldn't it be amazing if we were as faithful in proclaiming the message of Jesus as those shepherds were the night He was born?

The shepherds praised God because of what they had seen and heard. And they glorified God because they believed He had sent His Son for them. Can you offer that same praise today? It is God's gift of His Son to you.

It is possible that we could make a bigger impact for Christ in our world if we spent a little less time griping and complaining and a lot more time praising Jesus.

PONDER: In quiet contemplation Mary took all these events in and pondered what they all could mean. In faith she said “Yes”, and in faith she pondered on how God would use someone like her, someone like Joseph, someone like the baby she held in her arms to change the world.

If you really believe that Jesus Christ is God's Son, that He died on the cross for your sins, that He rose again to give you the hope of eternal life, and you are willing to repent of your sins, and receive Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, then you don't have to wonder anymore. Then you can really worship Him.

"The shepherds returned to the fields glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, which was just as they had been told." Luke 2:30

Merry Christmas by Hope Attaway

Merry Christmas to you And it’s all very true All I have to say On this very special day A child was born To a world that was torn For human hearts to endure If only they believe

In their Saviour, Jesus
A Gift Given by Linda Coaty

A gift given freely From our Father in heaven. Even before we open our heart He accepted us into His, Standing outside our locked door Waiting patiently for us To open that closed door. In His hand is a gift, One of forgiveness and love That is unconditional, Also peace and intense joy. This gift can help us

In times of trials, testing And even tragedy in our lives. We can feel God’s presence With His arms wrapped around us Giving a sense of peace And even joy in our hearts As only He can give us. To accept this special gift We need just to open our heart And allow Him to come in. It can last a lifetime and Never run out or spoil.

My Christmas Tree by Colleen Steele

 You stood in the meadow, so straight and so tall In the cold winds of winter in the splendour of full The soft rain quenched your thirst in the cool spring days You gained strength, from these hot summer sun's rays You were the rock, the port in ev’ry storm With your branches so lush you greeted each morn You kept all who sought shelter, safe and secure You were a true friend....100% pure. Now your time has come, a different place you will be And we'll laugh and we'll sing around our decorated tree As the spirit of Christmas comes alive in everyone's heart And I thank you for doing your special part!

The Stablehand's Eventuality By Antonia Chatson

What a day it has been. First of man, I guess. Once every four years the Roman guvs get everyone to go to the towns where they were born and register themselves. Wily old Romans. They want to take a head count so as to know who to tax what and how much. Mind you, me and my boss aren't complaining for it's good business for over a week, best ever till the next time - barring Christmas. The towns are over run with travellers and we make just about as much then as we do during the intervening time - well, that might be a slight exaggeration.

We always plan ahead, me and the boss, for this big boom. We get extra fowls in from the countryside as well as slaughtering our own. We always slaughter a few sheep as well. That job Philemon does for I have no stomach for it. And we always have several milk cows to provide us with enough milk and curds for the week. I thought as how I had everything under control.

I got up early in the morning and cleaned out the stables so everything is as fresh as a daisy. I even swept down the cobwebs the night before as a special treat for the animals and scrubbed down the mangers. Never know who might take a peek in during this busy time. Jude had brought in an extra load of hay from the countryside just to be on the safe side. Grazing was not the best at this time of the year - too hot, too dry. I milked Sweetheart and Buttercup and checked Primrose one more time before going to the inn for breakfast. Primrose looked good. She was due to calve any time now, but I was hoping that since she had not had her calf before all of this fuss and commotion, that she would have the decency to leave all that sort of stuff till the week was over.

I had a leisurely breakfast with Silas, my boss. Dates, raisins and the usual flatbread. Why should I hurry just yet? The barn was immaculate and the first rush of visitors was not due till early afternoon. Silas is a good boss most of the time, although he can get rather ratty when under pressure. That's when I call him Silo Hilo, for it rather matches his moods. But this morning he was in good spirits and we planned our strategy for the day together. Then I ambled back to the stable to check things over once more.

Oh, oh, water everywhere. That meant only one thing. Primrose had inconsiderately decided to have her calf just when we would be snowed under with work. I made myself comfortable sitting on the manger in front of her stall to watch for developments. Three hours later one hoof appeared. That could be bad news. Checked for another and there weren't none. Oh, oh. Stuck my arm in farther only to discover that of the four she could have chosen to present first, Miss Calfie had decided it was to be a back one. Better run and get Philemon to help with this one. Several buckets of soapy water later, the two of us finally delivered a beautiful little heifer. Philemon and I then worked for an hour cleaning up after the commotion and that after having the place so spotless this morning. So it was shortly before the evening meal that I presented myself for service at the inn, and boy! Was I needed!

The inn was already full. Silas said that every available space in the town of Bethlehem was booked. Well, as I said, good for business all round. I helped with supper, then hiked out to check little Missie. Just lying down. Hadn’t sucked yet. Better get her up and started. More easily said than done. She do have a stubborn streak in her.

It was really getting late when Silas appeared at the barn with a lantern in his hand. In the glow of the lantern, I could see a man behind him in his mid-twenties – with his wife. When they moved forward from behind Silas, I could see that the lady was very big with child. What are they doing here, I thought? The mystery was soon solved as Silas informed me that they would be spending the night in the stable as there was no other room anywhere in town. Silas sort of winked at me funny-like, and I knew he was trying to tell me that he was doing it for the sake of the lady. I hustled about and piled up a heap of hay in one of the vacant stalls, so glad that I had asked Jude for an extra load. And I was glad that the stable was so spotlessly clean. I didn’t know these people, but I had just said to myself that morning, “Got to be prepared for every eventuality.” And here the eventuality was! Got ‘em all nicely settled, then went up to my little room above the stable. Thought sorta crossed my mind, seeing as the lady was so large, wonder if she’ll be coming tonight. Would she be all right? Sure hope so – one problem birth that day was enough for me.

Dozed off for a bit, then was awakened by a little cry, then a louder one. Oh, oh, she must have had it. Better go down and check, so down the ladder I pattered. What a sight met my eyes: There standing, their faces radiant in the light of the lantern, was the mother and father bent over the donkey’s manger, and in the manger lying on the father’s robe, was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. It seemed as if he were looking up at his parents and smiling, but that couldn’t be possible. And apart from the folds of his father’s robe that were folded around him, he was stark naked. Guess they hadn’t thought to bring anything just in case. I hastily rushed back to the loft and rummaged through my trunk and got an extra robe of mine and brought it down for them to wrap the baby with. They were most grateful and they bundled the little one up.

Just as they had finished, five men with staffs, obviously shepherds from the surrounding hills entered the stable and came over to look at the baby. A glow seemed to emanate from the face of the baby. It filled the stable. Funny, I thought, it was not a full moon. When I went to look outside to see if I was mistaken, I saw this enormous star right over the stable, and very low to the earth. That must have been what was giving all that light.

As I was out there gazing at that magnificent star, I noticed three camels coming down the road. Most unusual – travelers usually left their camels at the caravansary on the outskirts of town. But it was not the camels that were so extraordinary - it was their riders. Each of them was wearing magnificent, richly coloured and bejeweled robes and on each of their heads was a crown. Here’s another eventuality, I thought to myself. They stopped outside the stable and asked me to mind their camels. The camels crouched down and their riders dismounted and proceeded toward the stable as if it were King Solomon’s palace. I couldn’t help but peek in the window. The light in the stable was brighter yet. The shepherds who had been kneeling in front of the baby rose and moved aside to make room for the kings, who then bowed down before the baby and presented him with gifts.

What is all this that is going on? I asked myself. Sure looks as if something important is going on in my little old stable. Well, whatever it is, I told myself, I am so glad of all the cleaning that I did that morning. This sure was some eventuality!

But something else happened to me as I saw the shepherds and kings worshipping this little baby. I too fell on my knees and buried my head in the back of one of the camels. Seemed to be the thing to do – this kneeling thing. I prayed to Yahweh that this little baby would bring as much wonder, joy and peace to all the world as he had brought to my little old stable that night.