More Gold That Does Not Glitter

Ave Maria! Yesterday when I was thinking about that line from Tolkien, "All that is gold does not glitter," (and which I mentioned in my blog post of yesterday) a Christmas carol I learned many long years ago came to mind. It's a charming traditional Christmas song that has been around for quite some time, called "The Friendly Beasts". As the song unfolds, each of the various animals gathered around the crib of the Holy Child of Bethlehem tells of the gift he gave to Immanuel. Nothing spectacular or showy here -- just ordinary gifts from ordinary but friendly beasts who recognized the Real Treasure laying in the manger and and paid Him homage.

The Friendly Beasts

Jesus our brother, kind and good
Was humbly born in a stable rude
And the friendly beasts around Him stood,
Jesus our brother, kind and good.

"I," said the donkey, shaggy and brown,
"I carried His mother up hill and down;
I carried her safely to Bethlehem town."
"I," said the donkey, shaggy and brown.

"I," said the cow all white and red
"I gave Him my manger for His bed;
I gave him my hay to pillow his head."
"I," said the cow all white and red.

"I," said the sheep with curly horn,
"I gave Him my wool for His blanket warm;
He wore my coat on Christmas morn."
"I," said the sheep with curly horn.

"I," said the dove from the rafters high,
"I cooed Him to sleep so He would not cry;
We cooed him to sleep, my mate and I."
"I," said the dove from the rafters high.

Thus every beast by some good spell,
In the stable dark was glad to tell
Of the gift he gave Immanuel,
The gift he gave Immanuel.
"I," was glad to tell
Of the gift he gave Immanuel,
The gift he gave Immanuel.
Jesus our brother, kind and good.

Dear Mary, Virgin of Advent, help me to give
my best gift possible to your holy child this Christmas. Amen