December 18: Blue Jays
When we think of animals at Christmas time, a donkey often comes to mind. We imagine the Holy Family making their way to Bethlehem with Mary and her unborn baby on the back of a humble donkey. Then there were the camels bearing the Magi, and the cows whose manger became the baby's cradle. But there are old traditions that imagine the birds at Christmas. The doves in the rafters watched the mother and child, and a French carol imagines the green finch and the philomel singing "Noel" on Christmas day. Another old legend says that all the animals, wherever they may be, kneel or bow their heads at midnight on Christmas Eve. This acknowledges that the Christmas story is about the love of God for all of creation--human, furred, feathered, scaled--in all its forms.
I have a special fondness for the blue jays in my back yard. Over the years I think they have come to recognize me as I fill the feeders at sunrise every morning. I also dump a scoop of raw peanuts on the woodpile and on a little wooden platform on the far side of the yard. There is always at least one jay high in the trees keeping watch, and when I start across the yard he sets off the alarm. Soon a dozen or more jays fly in, all making a joyous racket of gratitude. They dive down for a peanut and fly back up into the branches to have their breakfast. Occasionally they don't like the peanut they choose, and they bring it back to the pile and take another. I've never seen another bird do that!
I offer them a blessing as they gather: "Pax vobiscum," I say. Peace be with you. "Et in terra pax." And on earth, peace! It is my prayer that the Christmas blessing touch all creatures, great and small. As we do open our hearts to all creation, we feel the heart of the Creator and share in a vision for a peaceable realm where, in their own way, all creatures share in offering praise and joy for the gift of life itself. A few years ago I wrote a carol set to the tune of the Gloucester Wassail.
Refrain:
Sing out, sing out, in every voice
For Christ is born! Let all rejoice!
Sing birds of the air, and fish of the sea,
And the squirrel on the branch at the top of the tree!
1. Good news to the wren, and the cardinal, and jay
Who gather with joy on this bright Christmas day,
Make berries your feast; then take to the wing
And do loops in the sky as carols you sing!
2. The cow in the barn, the horse in the stall
Proclaim the glad tidings to creatures all,
Sing "Moo" in the morn, join in with a "Neigh,"
And hear an "Amen" from the mouse in the hay.
3. The dog does bark and chases his tail
To answer the song of the sweet-throated whale,
The cat purrs content as she sleeps on her bed
For the child who was born in an animal shed,
4. The skunk and the rabbit make tracks in the snow
They dance to the song of a merry old crow,
The owl hoots with joy in the silver moonlight
For the Savior was born on Christmas night!
5. The deer leaps with joy as he flashes his tail
The foxes join in as the creatures wassail,
The chipmunk’s asleep in her underground nest--
With a bright Christmas dream she’s peaceful and blessed.
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