December 14th

Scripture: 1 Nehpi 11:27 - "And I looked and beheld the Redeemer of the world, of whom my father had spoken; and I also beheld the prophet who should prepare the way before him. And the Lamb of God went forth and was baptized of him; and after he was baptized, I beheld the heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and abide upon him in the form of a dove."

Song: "Who Is the Child?" - Children's Songbook, #46

Story: "Davey and the First Christmas" by Beth Vardon

Let's pretend there was a boy,
And Davey was his name,
Whose family lived in Bethlehem
When CHRISTMAS TIME first came.


Davey had a special pet -
A donkey small and gray,
And what the two of them did BEST
Was getting in the way!


Davey named the donkey Tim,
He never rode him though.
Either Tim was built to HIGH
Or Davey was too low!


Davey's father had an inn
Where people came to stay;
And lots and lots and LOTS of them
Were coming there one day.


His father was BUSY
As six or seven bees!
So Davey said, I want to help!
Can't I do something, please?


Tim would like to help you, too!
Find a job for us to do!


Listen, Son, his father said,
Last week you broke three jugs.
You scared my two best customers
With your pet lightning bugs!


You tracked in mud on my clean floor,
You tripped, and dropped the bread.
And though I loved the fish you caught -
WHY leave them on my bed?


I've put up with your helpfulness
As long as I am able!
So - do me one big favor, now!
GET OUT - and clean the stable.


Davey sadly went and stood
Beside the stable door.
It hardly seemed that ANYONE
Could clean that dirty floor!


He and Tim both felt so bad
They started in to cry
But then (thought Davey),
YES, we CAN! Well, anyhow - let's try!


First, let's chase those chickens out!
That's what we've got to do!
So Tim began to flap his ears
While Davey shouted, "SHOOOO!"


The chickens clucked and flew and ducked,
They fluttered wild and scary,
Until their feathers filled the air
Like snow in January!


Yes, Davey chased those chickens out,
He and Tim together;
But now he had to get a sack
And pick up every feather!


You should have seen how HARD they worked!
They stacked up all the wheat.
They straightened up the harnesses
Till they were nice and neat.


They fought with spiders bravely
Till they chased out every bug!
(And since we must admit the truth -
They broke another job!)


The very biggest job of all
Was stacking up the hay!
Davey climbed up to the loft
And put it all away!


Look, Tim! You see how HIGH it is?
I'll make just one more trip...
Then clear up on the stable roof,
His feet began to slip!


DOWN
CAME
HAY
AND
DAVEY
TOO!

The stable looked so queer -
All you could see was piles of hay -
One sandal, and one ear!


Slowly they came out on top,
And Davey didn't whine,
Though hay stuck out all over him
Just like a PORCUPINE!


He put the hay all back again,
And stacked it up with care --
But left one armload down below
To fill the manger there.


So Davey's work was done at last;
And when it all looked neat
He picked some flowers to trim the barn
(And some for Tim to eat!)


I hope it's clean enough, he thought
At least, I did my best.
And feeling very, very tired,
He curled up for a rest...


Who woke up Davey from his sleep?
Just guess them if you can!
Mary was the woman's name,
Joseph was the man.


Mary said, Oh Joseph, look!
This is a lovely place!
Then, seeing Davey there, she said
With such a shining face,


Your father's inn had no more rooms.
Tonight we're staying here;
So tell me now, are you the boy
Who cleaned the stable, Dear?


And did your donkey help you work?
We want to thank him, too.
Though Davey still was half asleep
His heart was glad - clear through!


So that is how a little boy
Two thousand years ago
Stayed on to hear the angels sing
And see the Star aglow!


As soon as Baby Jesus came
To use the manger bed,
Then Davey's sack of feathers made
A pillow for His head!


No one told Davey anymore
That he was in the way!
His work had helped get ready for
THE WORLD'S FIRST CHRISTMAS DAY!