The Christmas Mule

So many years had passed, he was the offspring of a horse and ass. Quickly discounted, the young mule was sold over and over again until he finally ended up here, in Bethlehem. Tethered to the carts, he was not a part of any herd born, just another beast of burden used and scorned, when his stubborn disposition reared itself at last, shortlived defiance fell to the whip cracked hard and fast. His rump still stung in a reddened burn for his resistance he had enough, too much to withstand his own persistence. Tonight would be different, he swore himself an oath in the shadows of the night, he would never be broke, beneath the low and distant starlight, he would escape, run far away never to be found or rediscovered by daybreak. He would forge the desert sands, stretch out a gap between himself and man. Cornered off in the stable, against the cold breath steam an open door with his master's voice awakened his dozing dreams. Too bright were the stars that glowed, huddled back, low, unable to go then what seemed a shepherd and his young wife stepped through the doors of his promised flight his master pointed the manger where they could stay as the distant light glowed brightly on the hay, donkey stepped in the stall old mule shared as disdainfully he eyed the pair. Commotion in the stable, wakened creatures spread the ancient fable of a savior to come greater than all kings, free every soul of earth bound things. He sighed in his strongest inner creed he heard stories long ago, never once believed. The donkey nudged him in the side, speaking softly in his pride "This child born in poverty was Him the savior, the Messiah, the promised king." Not possible, mule said as he shook his head, the stories were tales unreasonably to the foolish fed. Unannounced, angelic voices swept in and sang brilliant light, soft tidings and heartbeat pangs filled the stable as shepherds entered and bowed and foreign kings bore riches to the simple shroud. Curious and taken by surprise, mule stepped to view the child's eyes and the mother's face, gentle, soft and sweet raised her hand to touch old mule's cheek and as if by miracle he knew, the prophet's tale was true. In this manger solitary and aside from the world, the truth and love began to unfurl, towering above the powerful and rich, this child came as gift and promise of Almighty God's loving smile. The old mule, now humbled in his heart succumbed to the wisdom God planned from the start.