The Christmas Miracle as Told by the Animals in the Manger (ePub)

A family of mice, a donkey, a lamb, and a pigeon retell the saga of the night of Christ's birth. Harold Brown is president of Mouse Transportation Company and delivers cheese and other food stuff to mice around the city of Bethlehem. Mr. Brown's family consists of his wife, Harriet, their daughter, Henrietta, and their son, Henry. Their living space is located next to the trough in a manger that just happens to also be occupied by Lucy the Lamb and Bruno the Donkey. The antics of Pedro the Pigeon provide amusement as he flies in and out of the Browns' lives. However, the need to continually find fresh food for the Brown family exposes their lives to danger.

One night, a very pregnant Mary, riding a donkey and accompanied by her husband, Joseph, appear at the manger to prepare for the birth of their son. From that moment on, each manger occupant plays a role in the unfolding drama of the Christmas miracle. But after all the celebrations and worshipping by the shepherds and the magi, God informs Joseph in a dream to immediately head to Egypt the next day. Since the birth of Jesus, the Brown family realized he was special since they experienced a peace they had never known before. When the Browns hear about their departure, Mr. Brown begs Joseph to take them with him, but Joseph firmly tells him, "No."

With Mary on their donkey, Joseph gives the animal a swat on the rump that begins their journey to Egypt. The Brown family weeps because the peace they had experienced with Mary, Joseph, and Jesus leaves with them, and they wonder if they'll ever see the three of them again.

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