They had travelled far, and still couldn't find a place to stay. She was pregnant and due at any time. It was certainly cold, and no night to be out, even under normal circumstances. They had to rest.

At last, they made do with a manger - a hay crib, really, and she announced that her time was due. Not a little later, but NOW.

He was older, more educated, reasonably mature, but nothing he had ever experienced prepared him to be a midwife. But it was his wife's first child, so he drew his breath, made a passable birth bed in the straw, and did what seemed to be the logical thing. With relief, he succeeded.

Finally, mother and baby rested, and he proceeded to clean up. Eventually, they slept.

Unnoticed, the baby, a small boy, became restless. His breathing was difficult and labored. A kitten, curious as are all cats, came to investigate the little one, and lay down beside the boy. Carefully, nervously, the kitten sniffed at the boy, ready to leap back at any sudden moves.

The bitter wind blew once more into the makeshift, and the poor child choked back a ragged gasp. Finally, the kitten lay across the boy's chest, seeming to sense an immediate need.

Whiskered nose to infant nose, and muzzle to mouth, the kitten synchronized it breathing to that of the child's. Slowly, the baby began to breathe normally. Slowly, the kitten gave its last breath for the life of the child. Gently did the baby Jesus pet the kitten who gave its all.

And so it was that the entire race of cats was blest for all time.

Merry Christmas to all,

Copyright © Mark Edwards
December 15, 1999