I’m writing about donkeys today, seen frequently all over Israel—entering Jerusalem’s Old City gates and/or traveling networks of roads and trails everywhere—quiet, unassuming, but getting work done. In scripture, a donkey saved the prophet Balaam from the angel messenger’s sword when Balaam failed to hear God’s word. 

Imagine another shaggy donkey during census-tax season carrying Mary, great with child, bumping along the ninety-four miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem before our Lord’s birth—an exhausting and uncomfortable journey.

I love hearing this English carol, The Friendly Beasts, about the stable animals on that first Christmas.

Jesus our brother kind and good,
Was humbly born in a stable rude.
The friendly beasts around him stood.
Jesus our brother kind and good.

A brilliant star shone through the night
And filled the world with wondrous light
While friendly beasts stayed by his side
A brilliant star shone through the night

“I,” Said the donkey, all shaggy and brown.
“I carried His mother uphill and down.
I carried her safely to Bethlehem town.”
“I,” Said the donkey all shaggy and brown.

“I,” Said the cow, all white and red.
“I gave Him my manger, for a bed.
I gave Him my hay to pillow His head.”
“I,” Said the cow, all white and red.

“I,” Said the sheep with the curly horn
I gave Him my wool for a blanket warm.
He wore my coat on Christmas morn.”
“I,” Said the sheep with the curly horn. 

“I,” Said the dove from the rafters high.
I cooed him to sleep so he wouldn’t cry.
We cooed him to sleep my mate and I.”
“I,” Said the dove from the rafters high.

Every beast by some good spell
In the stable dark was glad to tell
Of the gifts they gave Emanuel.
The gifts they gave Emanuel.

As God’s life and strength carries us through each day, sometimes it may look small and unimpressive, but it crosses distances and helps us complete journeys. Remember, our Lord wasn’t born in a palace but in a place that made him accessible to all people everywhere and in all times.

A donkey carried our Lord again when He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday—but we’ll consider that story closer to next Easter.

God bless you, your family, and our world with peace, forgiveness, and light through this Christmas season and far beyond. And may we have Balaam’s ass speaking here and there as needed in many world situations.

Delores Topliff