The Legend of Robin Redbreast
From 'A Christmas Stocking' by Louise Betts Egan
On that first Christmas, it is said, the night was wrapped in a bitter chill. The small fire in the stable was nearly out, and the Mother Mary worried that her baby would be cold. she turned to the animals about her and asked them for help.
"Could you blow on the embers," she asked the ox, "so the fire might continue to keep my son warm?"
But the ox lay sound asleep on the stable floor and did not hear her. Next, Mary asked the donkey to breathe life back into the fire, but the sleeping donkey did not hear Mary either. Nor did the horse or sheep. She wondered what to do.
Suddenly, Mary heard a fluttering of little wings. Looking up, she saw a plain, brown-coloured little robin fly into the stall. This robin had heard Mary calling to the animals and had come to help her himself. he went over to the dying fire and flapped his wings hard.
His wings were like little bellows, huffing and puffing air onto the embers, until they glowed bright red again. He continued to fan the fire, singing all the while, until the ashes began to kindle.
With his beak, the robin picked up some fresh, dry sticks and tossed them into the fire. As he did, a flame suddenly burst forth and burned the little bird's breast a bright red. But the robin simply continued to fan the fire until it crackled brightly and warmed the entire stable. The Baby Jesus slept happily.
Mary thanked and praised the robin for all he had done. She looked tenderly at his red breast, burned by the flame, and said "From now on, let your red breast be a blessed reminder of your noble deed."
And to this day, the robin's red breast covers his humble heart.
"Could you blow on the embers," she asked the ox, "so the fire might continue to keep my son warm?"
But the ox lay sound asleep on the stable floor and did not hear her. Next, Mary asked the donkey to breathe life back into the fire, but the sleeping donkey did not hear Mary either. Nor did the horse or sheep. She wondered what to do.
Suddenly, Mary heard a fluttering of little wings. Looking up, she saw a plain, brown-coloured little robin fly into the stall. This robin had heard Mary calling to the animals and had come to help her himself. he went over to the dying fire and flapped his wings hard.
His wings were like little bellows, huffing and puffing air onto the embers, until they glowed bright red again. He continued to fan the fire, singing all the while, until the ashes began to kindle.
With his beak, the robin picked up some fresh, dry sticks and tossed them into the fire. As he did, a flame suddenly burst forth and burned the little bird's breast a bright red. But the robin simply continued to fan the fire until it crackled brightly and warmed the entire stable. The Baby Jesus slept happily.
Mary thanked and praised the robin for all he had done. She looked tenderly at his red breast, burned by the flame, and said "From now on, let your red breast be a blessed reminder of your noble deed."
And to this day, the robin's red breast covers his humble heart.
Here is a pretty awesome holiday tune. I like this kind of music when I'm preparing Christmas dinner.
And if I ever wanted to be a dog, I think I would want to be this one!
6 comments:
Great posts...you carried us through a gambit of emotions!
MERRY CHRISTMAS !! To you!
Very sweet post!
I had heard the version of the robin plucking thorns out of Christ's crown of thorns and a drop of blood staining his breast. Either way - lovely!
That was a wonderful post! I even emailed that dog video to my son...it was so cute! This is my first time here and I really like your blog! Merry Christmas!
I added you to my friends~blog love list :)
I had never heard the story of the robin. Very sweet. I loved it.
The music is great and the dog video made me smile! :))
Did you get your earrings yet??
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