God must have ridden the wind with golden eagles through majestic peaks, and rejoiced in the magnificence of a surfacing great whale. The tart sweetness of berries and the richness of grains and herbs that He made for food for all living things, must have tickled His taste as He blessed the cattle with their big, soft eyes. Certainly He savored the sweet perfume of honeysuckle and morning glory as He watched the chameleon creep along their vines, and smiled upon the silver fox as it scampered among snow-tipped evergreens. He surely caressed the lamb and the lion as they lay together, eating hay, and it must have been with great pleasure that He listened to the songbirds herald another fiery sunrise in the peaceful, sheltering garden where He, lovingly, placed the first humans.
"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger;" (Luke 2:7)
Centuries later, an interesting parallel occurred when God sent the Prince of Peace to redeem a fallen world. God chose, again, a peaceful, sheltering place filled with animals, for the setting of the birth of His Son. The cooing of doves in the rafters, the soft "whiffling" sounds of the cattle lulled the baby Jesus to sleep as he spent his first night, comfortably bedded, in an animal's feeding trough. The sweet scent of hay filled his lungs while the cottony softness of a donkey's muzzle nudged and welcomed the holy infant. The beasts of the field and the newborn King were of one accord and heavenly angels sang, "Glory to God in the highest...."
Today, the magic warmth of Christmas is everywhere. In our homes, the aroma of fruitcake and fudge fills warm kitchens while merry twinkling lights glisten on splendidly decorated trees. Outside, frosty winds urge carolers to pull heavy wraps about them as they burst forth in joyous song, and perhaps a pair of snowshoe rabbits romp on newly fallen snow. Bright toys in store displays capture children's eyes as mothers tussle with colorfully wrapped packages, and snug couples, hand in hand, stroll, windowgazing, as pungent scents of pine, spices and candles waft the mall, bringing memories of holidays past.
Yet, the real warmth of Christmas is God's gift to the world, birthed in a quiet stable long ago, surrounded by gentle animals, bringing promise of peace and good will to mankind and animals alike. The perfection of that first garden will be restored, no blood will be shed, and all living creatures of all flesh will, once again, live in harmony.
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