A Cricket's Christmas
The Bethlehem Story
By
David G. Hennessey
“Hennessey definitely weaves a good story and has created a nice holiday book that has great potential. A Cricket’s Christmas has the potential to be a Christmas classic. Well done”
- Shannon Yarbrough, www.llbookreview.com
Published by David G. Hennessey at Smashwords
Text copyright © 2009 David G. Hennessey
This book is also available in print at most online retailers.
Smashwords Edition License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author or publisher. For information email inquiries to: davidghennessey@gmail.com.
Chapter 14: The Shepherds Visit
Chapter 15; The Wise Men Visit
A Cricket's Christmas
The Bethlehem Story
By
David G. Hennessey
We all know the story of Jesus and his birth in the manger at Bethlehem. We also know, for instance, that he was the promised Messiah looked for by all the prophets and people for thousands of years. And we know of his miraculous life that electrified the world of religion as it was then known. But we may never know all the events, all the hopes or all the dreams that rested upon that one singular moment in the history of the world. And I suppose, if we could write them all down, we might not have room enough on this planet to contain the volumes yet unspoken of miracles wrought and lives changed by the birth of Jesus Christ.
Now, some may dispute all the wonderful things he did, and it is not the intention of this writer to argue for or against those conclusions. Rather, it is the intent of this book to introduce yet one more story, one more point of view, one more possible scenario.
As fully functional and coherent people we realize that humans on this earth are singularly blessed with many gifts, all given for the benefit and edification of self and mankind. And it is in the use of those gifts that we and others are blessed.
That having been said, the two gifts that distinguish us from all other creatures on this earth are the ability to think rationally, and the ability to speak. As far as we know, only humans are capable of performing these two functions.
But what if that weren’t so? What if animals could think and speak? And what if they witnessed the one most spectacular event in all of history? What would they say?
This book, then, such as it is, may provide yet another glimpse of what we today can only imagine happened, what they might have thought and said regarding the most important event in all of history, the birth of Jesus Christ.
“Mom, mom, mom, mom!” begged Chirp eagerly as he hopped closer to his home near the manger entrance. He and his friends had been playing down near the sheep pen and had spent the morning trying to get Hezekiah the sheep to explain why he was always losing his wool. After all, it seemed weird that anybody would want to use somebody else’s skin to cover themselves.
“Yes, son,” replied Hannah softly, turning to face him while using her feet to clean the area around the baseboards of their home. Chirp and his mother were crickets and lived under the floorboard in the wall near the entrance to the manger. “I’m here. What is it?”
“Mom,” Chirp continued, “why do Eiten, Ephraim and Leah get to climb up in the rafters and I can’t? Huh? Why?”
“Because,” replied Hannah patiently, “they are spiders and that’s what spiders do.”
“But mom,” Chirp continued impatiently, “why do they get to do it and I can’t? I’m older than they are and bigger. And I can hop farther too.”
“I know,” replied Hannah pleasantly. “But you’re a cricket and must do what crickets do. They are spiders and must do what spiders do.”
“But what can I do?” asked Chirp somewhat frustrated. “I mean, I don’t see anything I can do.”
“Well,” responded Hannah, “someday you will be able to make beautiful music with your wings and that music will make others very happy. You are special and have a wonderful gift to give to others.”
“But I can’t make music now,” stated Chirp in frustration.
“I know,” replied Hannah calmly. “But someday you will and then everyone will want your gift.”
“Hmmph,” sulked Chirp, “I don’t think that’s very fair. I still wanna climb around like all the other kids get to. They get to have all the fun.”
“I know,” laughed Hannah. “I know. Now, have you finished practicing your music for the day?”
“Yes momma, but I’m still not very good,” he replied slowly.
“You will be soon enough,” stated Hannah. “Now, come here and have some breakfast. You took off so early this morning that I didn’t have time to feed you.”
“Ahhhh, I don’t want any breakfast,” replied Chirp sullenly. “I’m not hungry.”
“Maybe not,” replied Hannah, “but just the same you need to eat something so that you will grow up big and strong.”
“Ok,” agreed Chirp reluctantly. “If I have to.”
As Chirp sat down to eat some of the food his mother had prepared for him he looked around at the huge place he called home. He could see all around, from the front of the manger to way, way back in the back of the stalls where nobody really went. It was a little darker back there and even though it was safe Chirp never wandered back there unless he was with his friends. He’d heard scary stories and his imagination played wild tricks with all those dark shadows and different smells. Nope, he liked the light and wanted some day to go outside and see what it was all about.
His home was near the front, by the entrance of the manger because his mother wanted to be where the first rays of sunlight came in. She said it warmed the spirit and made everything look brighter each day. Chirp didn’t know about that but he did like being close to all the action, so near the front of the manger.
Just then a movement off to his left caught his attention. It was the mice twins, Scamp and Scurry. They lived under an old bale of hay back against the far wall and never came out unless there was either something important going on or had one of their missions to fulfill. They were the two self-appointed sentinels of the manger and spent the better part of each day scouting the surrounding area for anything new, news or otherwise. They also occasionally brought back some wonderful tidbits to eat and Chirp was always excited to talk to them when they returned. They were heading out of the manger on their self-appointed rounds and usually said hello to Chirp as they did.
“Hi guys,” yelled Chirp. “Going scouting?”
“That we are,” replied Scamp, who was the unspoken leader of the two. “Always something new happening and gotta be prepared for it.”
“Yes indeedy,” agreed Scurry quickly. “Something new, something new. Gotta go, gotta go.”
And with that they were past Chirp and out the door.
Chirp liked the mice twins. Scurry usually let Scamp lead unless something really big was happening and then he had a tendency to over excite himself to the point of exhaustion and confusion which made for a comical display. Chirp often wondered what it was like outside, away from the manger and all his friends, but he rarely considered actually going because none of his friends would go with him. They said it was too dangerous and besides, nearly everything they needed was in the manger. Wandering out the door alone, into the unknown and past the safety and security of their home, was not something they wanted to do. Still, Chirp dreamed of the exciting world beyond the manger.
Glancing back into the manger, Chirp heard a quick flutter as something flew past him overhead. No doubt he knew who it was before he looked up, but he thought it fun to momentarily imagine it was something other than what he knew it to be, like a new adventure or something. But it wasn’t, it was just Faiga returning from the outside world with a few pieces of building material for their new nest. Faiga was a barn swallow and lived in the rafters overhead. He and his wife Sora were busy keeping their nest in perfect condition since they were expecting a baby soon. Chirp new what it meant to have a baby, even at his young age, and he and the rest of the manger were excited to have a new addition to their home. In fact, he thought it would be great to have a friend who could fly, even if his mom wouldn’t let him go along for a ride.
Looking further into the manger, Chirp saw Ira over by the cow and sheep pen. Ira was a beetle that liked to wander around the manger, making sure that everything was in place and just as it should be. Chirp’s mom called him the manger manager, the one who kept everything and everybody in check. Chirp also saw the spider kids, Eiten, Ephraim and Leah. They were sneaking up on Ira, trying to go unnoticed while they stalked him for fun. It was a game they all played often since Ira had the tendency to go about his business in a matter-of-fact way, paying little attention to distractions of any kind and especially not newly-hatched spider kids. On this occasion, however, Ira knew exactly what was happening; but let the kids amuse themselves at his expense because he actually enjoyed it.
Next Chirp turned his attention to the back rafters, where very few ventured to go. He knew he’d see only one occupant, one lonely figure that stayed hidden much of the time, only to come out when everyone else went to sleep. And there she was, right where he knew she would be. She lived high in the rafters that crisscrossed the manger ceiling.
Her name was Bernice, and she was a great white moth. She slept most of the day away high up in the rafters and only came out once twilight began. Chirp thought she was the most mysterious of the all the animals in the manger, suspecting she must have some special powers or some hidden secrets that allowed her to move silently about at night. He thought it would be wonderfully exciting to follow her on her journeys; but, alas, he couldn’t fly and would never be able to keep up by hopping after her. Besides, he didn’t really like going into strange places after dark; he’d heard stories about those who did, and sometimes they got into trouble or worse. No, he’d stay right here in the manger for now and just dream of the things she was able to do. Perhaps one day he’d be able to have some wonderful adventures too, and then he’d see some of the sights that Bernice or the mice twins saw.
“Are you finished?” asked Hannah, glancing over at Chirp.
“Yes momma,” mumbled Chirp eagerly downing his last couple bites. “All done.”
“Then give me a kiss and you can go play,” replied Hannah.
“Oh, momma, do I have to?” inquired Chirp reluctantly. “The other kids will see.”
“Kiss me now or stay at home,” she answered matter-of-factly.
“Oh, all right,” Chirp agreed as he hopped over to Hannah and kissed her quickly.
“Can I go now?” he asked eagerly.
“Yes, of course,” laughed Hannah. “Go. Go.”
“Wahooooo,” yelled Chirped as he turned, took a huge leap out into the manger and landed amongst the straw and dirt. Even at his young age he had not only mastered the art of the hop but could actually do some fun things when he did. For instance, he learned that if he took off against a breeze as it blew through the manger he could actually hop in one direction, face another and land in a completely different place then what he had first intended. It was incredible.
He also learned that if he balanced himself just right he could actually do a somersault and land facing in the same direction. That was a terrifically fun stunt and the spider kids loved to see him do it. His most recent discovery was that of the half flip, which was like doing a somersault but then reversing the flip halfway through. He discovered that that took a lot of balance and key timing. It also sometimes really hurt when he landed wrong. Mostly he laughed it off, but there were a couple time when it left him limping.
“Hey Chirp,” came a voice from across the floor.
It was Eiten, one of the spider kids and the oldest of the three he played with. In reality, all of the spiders had been born at the same time, so the truth was that none of them was really older, but, as Eiten was the most outgoing and also the first to venture out away from their nest, he became known as the oldest and the one with the most courage.
“Hi, Eiten,” replied Chirp as he took a hop, sailed across the room and nearly landed on top of him.
“Man,” laughed Eiten. “I wish I could do that. That’s so cool.”
“I know,” agreed Chirp. “Won’t it be fun when I get a little bigger to give you a ride?”
“Yeah! That’ll be great,” replied Eiten eagerly. “But then again I think I’ll be bigger too.”
Chirp nodded as he thought of that last statement..
After a moment’s pause Chirp asked, “So, what’s on the agenda today?”
Before Eiten could answer, Ephraim and Leah scampered across the room and joined them.
“Hi ya, Chirp,” stated Ephraim.
“Hi, Chirp,” said Leah. “What are you guys doing?”
“Just discussing what we’re gonna do,” replied Eiten seriously.
While the spider kids were talking, Chirp took a moment to glance around the manger. He could see most everything and was trying to consider options for them to do.
For instance, the area behind him where the spiders lived was still dark, though it had a few trickles of light that filtered in here and there. Since it was more of a cave with a few man made features added, nearly all the light illuminating it came through the front and only entrance. Chirp’s mother always said that that’s why she chose to live near the door, so they could bask in the sunlight during the spring and summer months as well as enjoy the feelings associated with it. Even though they hid most of the time out of the light and out of sight, still she said it was nice to be near the front where they could get the best of both worlds, the light to warm themselves and the darkness under the wood frames where they needed to sleep and hide.
The mice twins lived not far from the spiders along the back wall, under an old bale of hay. Chirp and the others loved to play on the bale and really enjoyed sliding down individual strands of straw. At least they used to until the day Scamp came out and chased them off. Chirp guessed the twins didn’t like all the noise the kids made on their roof.
Hezekiah the sheep lived in a pen in the back of the manger along with the other large animals. He was the only one in residence at the moment, but others came and went during certain celebration times of the year. Every so often, food and water was brought to him or he’d be allowed to go out into the fields for the day to enjoy the sunshine. Chirp thought about hopping on top of Hezekiah one day as he was going out so he could see what all the fuss was about, but he hadn’t worked up the nerve to do it. Besides, if his mother ever found out, he knew he’d really be in trouble.
Bernice lived high in the rafters above Hezekiah, while Ira the beetle mostly wandered the entire place, coming to rest wherever he found a good spot because he considered the entire manger his property anyway.
The swallows, of course, had their nest overhead, in front of the sheep pen and near the manger entrance.
All in all, Chirp thought the manger was a pretty good place to live and everybody seemed to get along very well.
Suddenly there was a loud noise from above, high overhead. It was Faiga, the swallow. He was flying frantically around his nest, squawking and singing, making all kinds of noise.
“What’s happening?” asked Chirp nervously.
The small group all stared upwards trying to listen to what he was saying.
“We’ve had a baby,” stated Faiga proudly in flight. “She’s been bornnnnnnnnnnn.”
The small group on the floor erupted in glee. Chirp jumped up and down while the spider kids all ran around him yelling and cheering. Bernice was seen dropping from her perch in the rafters to fly over to the nest for a look.
“She’s beautiful,” she called down from the nest. “She’s so beautiful.”
The entire manger erupted in chatter and excitement. Hannah stopped her cleaning to come out and see. Ira just watched and continued his normal rounds, focused on maintaining order and discipline.
“This is so cool,” stated Ephraim.
“I’m so happy for them,” said Leah tearfully. “They’ll be so happy now.”
“Hmmm,” said Eiten. “It’s just a baby. We’ve seen lots of those.”
“Yes, but this one is special,” replied Leah. “It’s their first.”
The small group let that last statement sink in and just stared upwards for a few more moments.
After a time the excitement of the new arrival wore off and things began to once again quiet down. Bernice flew back to her perch and Hannah returned to her cleaning. Chirp and the spider kids were once again left to their own.
“So,” interrupted Leah, “what are we going to do now?”
Chirp was just about to say something when he noticed a movement near the manger entrance. It was the mice twins returning from their mission outside. As they drew closer Chirp could hear them arguing, again. That they argued wasn’t anything new, of course, but each time it seemed to be over something Chirp and the others thought trivial.
“Yes, it is,” stated Scurry emphatically. “It is. It is.”
“I’m not so sure,” replied Scamp.
“Well, I thought what he said was good, and it was true,” mumbled Scurry. “It sounded good.”
“Yeah, well,” answered Scamp, “you always agree with the loudest person in an argument.”
By this time the two mice had crossed the room and made it to the sheep pen near the group.
“What’s the matter, guys?” inquired Chirp.
“Seems something big is going to happen,” stated Scurry excitedly. “Yes, yes, something big, something big.”
Leah cut them off before they could continue.
“Did you hear that Faiga and Sora had their baby?” she blurted out.
The mice twins stood silent, thinking on what they’d just heard.
Chirp was just about to ask them what they saw, when Eiten made a sort of coughing sound. Chirp glanced over to see Eiten nod his head in the direction of the Sheep pen. Chirp quickly turned to see Ira approaching the group from across the room..
“What’s going on?” he asked as he walked up. “You’re all making a lot of ruckus over here and it’s disturbing the other residents.”
“Seems the scouts discovered something unusual today,” piped Ephraim matter-of-factly.
“Is that so?” inquired Ira thoughtfully as he turned his head slowly to face the mice twins. “And what would that be?”
“It’s nothing,” stated Scamp boldly. “We’re just in disagreement concerning a matter and it’s nothing to be all wet-behind-the-ears about.”
Scurry started to interrupt, but Scamp quickly cut him off again.
“It’s nothing,” he stated firmly.
Ira looked over the group for what to Chirp seemed like a long moment, then turned, mumbled something to himself, and continued with his rounds. When he was safely out of earshot, Chirp turned to the mice again. The others did likewise.
“What’s this all about?” Chirp asked inquisitively.
“Something big is going to happen,” whispered Scurry. “Yup indeedy, something big, something big.”
“Tell us,” stated Leah eagerly.
“We went out on our scouting patrol,” began Scamp, “and made the usual rounds.”
“Yes, yes,” agreed Scurry eagerly. “Much scouting, much scouting. Found secrets, found secrets.”
“It’s not a secret,” stated Scamp sharply.
“Calm down Scurry,” laughed Chirp. Turning back to Scamp he continued.
“And what did you find?” Chirp asked.
“It’s just a story or something we heard the people talking about,” replied Scamp. “That’s all.”
“What we’re they saying?” inquired Leah.
“They were talking about a lot of things,” replied Scamp. “There’s a lot of new people in town, lots of hustle and bustle.”
“Hustle and bustle,” echoed Scurry. “Hustle and bustle.”
“Yes, but what was the big news?” asked Chirp impatiently.
“The people were talking about a light in the sky, a new star,” answered Scamp.
“A new star?” asked Eiten. “You mean an actual star, like up in the sky?”
“So it would seem,” replied Scamp. “But I didn’t see it.”
“Yes, yes, new star, new star!” echoed Scurry.
“A new star?” asked Leah. “How? When?”
“A new Star? I didn’t know you could have new ones!” exclaimed Ephraim thoughtfully. “Cool.”
“But that doesn’t make sense,” answered Chirp. “Why a new star?”
“Beats me,” replied Scamp. “That’s just what they’re saying.”
Suddenly a voice from high in the back rafters of the manger flooded the group in a whisper.
“It’s true,” said the voice.
The entire group turned and focused their attention on the back of the manger, eagerly waiting for the speaker to appear.
“What’s that?” asked Scamp curiously as he turned to look up.
Before anyone could answer a great white moth appeared from above, gliding towards the group, drifting down slowly until she landed on the edge of Hezekiah’s pen. It was Bernice. The small group stared in disbelief at her magnificence.
“But how could a..?” began Eiten before Bernice quickly cut him off.
“It’s true,” she reiterated. “There is a bright new star in the sky, very nearly over our heads, and it has been the talk of the town. In fact, everyone seems to be wondering about it, even the new people in town.”
“Yes, yes,” agreed Scurry, “Much talk, much talk.”
“But what does that mean?” asked Leah.
“Mean?” asked Ephraim enthusiastically. “It means, my dear sister, that we have something to celebrate. It means we should have a party.”
“It means,” interrupted Bernice, “that something very special is about to happen. It’s a sign.”
“Yes, yes, special, special,” agreed Scurry as he cast a glance at Scamp. “Told you, told you.”
“You mean like a miracle?” asked Chirp.
“Yes, my dear,” whispered Bernice reverently, “that’s exactly what I mean, a miracle.”
“What kind of miracle?” asked Eiten.
“Well, I’m not sure,” replied Bernice. “But there is one thing I do know, miracles do happen.”
“That’s right,” interrupted Faiga as he flew down from his nest high overhead and landed on Hezekiah’s stall close to Bernice.
The entire group turned to face him, listening intently. Everyone respected both Bernice and Faiga, and to have them both confirm a story put a lot of credence to it, in their minds.
“Miracles do happen,” he repeated. “After all, look at us, we just had a baby and that’s a miracle.”
“How very true,” agreed Bernice. “Birth is a miracle, a very sacred miracle, and one never to be dismissed as common place, even though it happens all the time. Everyone born is unique and special, with talents and abilities that only they have, to offer to the world, to enrich us all.”
Chirp caught himself in that last statement.
“That’s the second time someone mentioned us being special,” he thought. “I wonder if it’s really true. Mom says we are and she always tells the truth. Hmmm, maybe it is true.”
“But why is that a miracle?” asked Chirp inquisitively. “Why is it so special?”
“Because,” replied Bernice, “it’s a trust and a hope all rolled up into one. Each creature born is different, unique and wonderful. There’s no one like him or her on the earth and there never will be again. Each one is so very different, so blessed. It’s like having a new present with each one, a surprise present. You never know what marvelous gift you’re going to get. It’s brand new every time.”
Chirp and the spider kids all stood wide-eyed, silent, perfectly still. It sounded true.
Finally Ephraim broke the silence.
“Wow,” he whispered. “That’s cool. A special present just like us.”
“That’s right,” agreed Faiga, “Just like you. So never forget that, ever.”
He turned his body sideways, then took off from the stall and flew back up into his nest, with all eyes silently following him, where he disappeared from sight.
Chirp and the others then turned their gaze back to Bernice, who also was preparing to leave.
“Never forget what I told you,” she said. “Never forget that each of you is special and that you have a gift to bless the lives of others.
With that said, Bernice suddenly expanded her wings, glanced down at the little group then lifted herself off and flew silently back up into the rafters from where she came.
The group watched as she disappeared then turned to one another and began to whisper wildly.
“What does it mean?” asked Leah again. “What’s so special about tonight?”
“I don’t know,” replied Ephraim, “but Bernice is never wrong. That’s what our mom says, anyway.”
Chirp listened intently to the group discuss what was happening. He noticed he felt peaceful yet anxious to learn the answer to this puzzling mystery. He wondered what it all meant.
“So what do we do about it?” asked Eiten.
“Well,” replied Scamp, “whatever it means will wait. In the meantime we have other duties that we need to attend to.”
“Yes, yes,” agreed Scurry. “Many duties, many duties. Gotta go, gotta go.”
And with that the mice twins scurried across the manger floor and disappeared into their bale of hay.
“This is so cool,” stated Ephraim. “I don’t know about the rest of you but I think it’s cool.”
“I have a great idea,” blurted Eiten confidently.
“What’s that?” asked Leah.
“I say we wait until dark, then climb up through the rafters to the outside and see for ourselves,” he replied. “After all, if it is so special don’t you all want to see it? I know I do.”
The others stood in thoughtful silence as Chirp slowly raised his eyes towards the ceiling.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” replied Leah.
“Brilliant,” replied Ephraim eagerly. “I say we do it.”
“I don’t know,” stated Leah. “Momma never said we could do that, even though she’s let us climb a lot. She might get mad.”
“I’m in,” stated Chirp enthusiastically, “but I’ll need some help. I can’t do it by myself.”
“No problem,” replied Eiten. “We’ll help you. It’ll be a blast.”
They all stood in silence gazing upwards and contemplating their new idea. After a few moments Chirp interrupted the stillness.
“I better go home now,” he stated. “Mom might be wondering where I am.”
“Agreed,” said Eiten. “I say we meet back here later about dark and go see for ourselves.”
“Perfect,” agreed Ephraim.
“Ok,” agreed Chirp.
“Ok, it’s agreed then,” said Eiten. “We’ll meet back here at dark and then climb up and see.”
After everyone acknowledged their plan, Chirp turned and hopped back towards home and the front of the manger.
The sun was just going down as the small group reassembled near Hezekiah’s pen. Chirp could always tell the time by the way the light and the shadows fell across the manger floor. As the day progressed, the light rays ran across the floor and up the back wall, illuminating the manger with a golden summer glow just before darkness descended. Chirp loved this time of the day because it always made him feel warm and safe, almost as if his mother were comforting him.
“Ok,” stated Eiten, looking at Ephraim, Leah and Chirp. “We’re all here.”
“What now?” asked Chirp excitedly.