Many years ago when my daughter Meghan was about six years old, we raised sheep. This time of year was when we would prepare the barn for lambing, putting in some straw and making it as clean as barns with dirt floors get. Meghan is a very creative woman now, she was a very creative child.

She made a Mary and Joseph and little manger and baby Jesus out of coat hangers and trash bags. The silouettes were crude, but charming.

Christmas Eve we were all instructed to come out to the barn. Meghan had a lantern and the Bible. She had her Dad, read us the story of Jesus birth from Luke.

The sheep and Patsy the pony were there in the barn with us, in the dim light. The story has never been more real for me than that cold December night.
Merry Christmas to all,
And to all a good night,
Ta,
Deb