“A Christmas Gift: Growing Pains”
Stroking Ella’s soft, furry body, Anna peered into her cat’s gaze. “So many stories and mysteries contained in those eyes.” Her words spoken low. “So many strange events have happened that begin and end with you.” Ella’s ears twitched as she curled her body a little tighter with her tail wrapped around her.
Since her mother’s death, Anna had assisted her father in operating the family Inn in Bethlehem. Only a young girl with a kitten then, she remembers 12 years ago the havoc caused by the Roman soldiers’ occupancy of their Inn. Caesar Augustus had issued a forced census on all the Jewish people, so the Inn was full of patrons come to comply but forced into the street by the Roman soldiers. A fight broke out in the dining room, and Ella trying to escape dashed into the busy street. Amidst the confusion she had become lost and feared dead. Yet, the next day Anna’s kitten reappeared strolling in the front door as if a guest ready to register her stay.
That night a friendship had begun between Ella and a certain angel she named Light Man. Sent to beckon strangers and protect the newborn babe whom he referred to as his Lord and God’s Son. Yet, there was no way to tell Anna of the baby born that night in the stable, laid in the manger while his parents rested, and was comforted by her purring song and warmth of her fur. No way she could know that while being misplaced, hungry and cold herself, Ella was able give, to bring ease to this child. “The Giving Song,” named by the angel himself, who shined in brilliant colors, as he motioned for the other animals in the stable to join. The new parents found joy in this act of kindness that renewed their tired bodies.
She would never believe me if I told her that Light Man has since stationed his care and blessings above their Inn.
Anna’s father, mindful of the tremendous increase in their business success, has decided that this is the year to say thank you. The Passover is coming, and it seemed appropriate to him to travel the day’s journey to Jerusalem and bring an offering of thanksgiving to the temple. Plus, he considered the advantages of meeting other Inn owners in Jerusalem and exchange with them ideas and stories.
Anna was excited to travel to Jerusalem and see the big city she had heard so much about from other travelers and possibly meet a young man to fill her dream of having her own family. Yet, Ella saw only trouble. “Why don’t they just stay put? Humans are so easily distracted. Anna has enough to do just taking care of me.” With Anna gone, the cook would be in charge, and Cook felt all cats belonged outside in the barn with the rest of the animals. So, Ella knew she must figure a way to sneak into Anna’s bag of clothes to join the journey.
Ella went outside to find Light Man who by chance was waiting for her in the stable yard. “Of course, you should go,” was his answer. A response that surprised Ella. “I happened to know that a certain babe grown to be a young man will be there. One who along with his parents will be glad to reunite and thank you for your kindness that night in the stable so long ago. Light Man said softer. “He would probably love to hear ‘The Giving Song’ again from you.”
Meanwhile, much further away in Galilee, Joseph and Mary are preparing to travel the week-long journey to Jerusalem for the yearly feast of the Passover. Jesus, their eldest son, along with his brothers and sisters and cousins and their families all pack for the annual family visit. Mary stood back to admire her son. “Joseph, next year Jesus will be of age. A man by Jewish law. Accountable and responsible to follow the commandments.”
“Yes, that is why it is so important for us to step back and give him room to make decisions. It’s time he applies all he has studied and accept the reward or consequences of his actions.”
The Passover celebration was a joyous one. Many family members taking time to connect and enjoy a meal together. Finally, it was time to return home. Joseph left Jesus in charge of packing the donkey and leading it on ahead of the group. As they headed home, Mary and Joseph didn’t see him but supposed him among his cousins. After three days of walking, Jesus was not to be found. James, his brother, assuming responsibility to lead the donkey, reported that Jesus never left Jerusalem. “He said he had important family business to attend to before he could come home.” Not like Jesus to do this thought Mary and Joseph. So, they left their other children in the charge of James and their aunts and uncles and went back to Jerusalem to seek him out.
After several days of worry and searching, they found him in the temple talking to the Pharisees who were amazed with his vast knowledge about God the Father. Astounded that one so young had already achieved a lifetime of learning about the Law, the character and nature of God, and His plan concerning mankind. Upon reaching Jesus, Mary with tears in her eyes asked him, “Son, why have you done this to us? We have been so worried.”
Jesus looking up surprised. “Why did you not know I would be about my father’s business?”
Meanwhile, while waiting for her own father to say his goodbyes to his newfound friends, Anna has decided to go for a walk with Ella. Many of the travelers were leaving Jerusalem so the streets were crowded with people and wagons and their animals. One large dog saw Ella and decided to give chase. Ella took off running looking for a safe haven to perch herself out of harm’s way. Anna hurried after them, but the animals were too quick for her. Once again Ella is lost, and Anna is left to locate her. She begins to cry. A young man comes up to Anna, the son of one of her father’s new business associates and offers to help her. “I have a cat at home who is most dear to me. We will find her,” he assures her. Anna finds relief in his confidence. So off they go to search for Ella together.
Ella runs deep into a large building with big doors and jumped up on scaffolding that leaned against the wall to a window ledge. Sitting on her hind legs with tail twitching, she turns to see if the dog has followed, for she is eager to tease him from her secure position. She doesn’t see a dog, but she does see a man and woman enter who look familiar.
Could this be the parents of the babe Light Man had told her about? The young man encircled by the religious looking men appeared familiar, too. Ella from her hiding place watched Mary and Joseph talk to Jesus. So, this is the babe grown up to be the Son of God? But he just seems so ordinary. Plus, his parents seem upset with him.
Ella watched all of this play out as Light Man materializes next to her. She verifies her guess with him. “Is he truly the babe I saw that night? He seems so…. unprepared to be God’s Son.”
“Sing your song and find out.” Light Man suggest and then disappears. So, Ella jumped down to a lower landing on the scaffold and begins to meow the song she sang for him 12 years ago.
Jesus stopped and looked up. “I know that song.”
Mary joined him, “So do I. but it was so long ago.”
Ella poked her head out from behind the scaffold pole.
“There she is,” Jesus pointed at Ella.
‘She was just a kitten then; but, yes, I do believe it is the same cat.” Mary said with her head slightly tilted and a touch of a question rested on her face.
“Do you remember me, dear kitty?” asked Jesus pleased with his discovery. “How is it that you are here?”
Just then Anna comes racing in slightly touching the arm of her new friend. “Ella, I have been looking all over for you.” Her voice cross, but her face relieved. “Why did you run away?” Stopping to catch her breath. “I’ve been so worried about you.”
“It seems our son and your kitty share a common trait,” said Mary. They both need to learn about considering how their behavior affects others.”
“Jesus goes over and reaches up to bring Ella into his arms and carries her back while petting her. “You kept me warm and blessed my family so long ago. My mother has never stopped singing your song.” He gently hands the cat to Anna’s outstretched arms, then shakes the hand of Anna’s new friend and for a moment beams at them both.
Jesus steps back and addresses the Pharisees. “It seems I’ve much to learn about the application of the Law, from my head to my heart,” he says while lightly patting his chest with folded fingers, “especially in the wisdom of caring for others. To apply the commandment of loving others as much as I would care about myself.” He turns to face his parents, “Father, I am sorry to have worried you and Mom.”
“Wait, your son could have a future as a Pharisee. Can he not stay with us at the temple a little longer?”
“Come, let us go home,” said Joseph.
“Thank you. I will continue my studies of the Law. But what I need to learn now is not in books or discussions but in submission to my parents.” Jesus closes his eyes and shivers slightly. “I must grow in the Wisdom obedience teaches without which the Law is only a heavy rope of a burden tightened around the neck.”
Joseph smiled, “Well said, Son.”
Jesus shakes the hands of the Pharisees saying, “Thank you for your time. I will return when I am of proper age and my grounding is complete.” Changing to a more serious tone he states, “Hopefully, you will then welcome me back.”
“Already the seeds of wisdom sprout, “one Pharisee remarked.
So, Jesus went home and grew in stature and wisdom through obedience to his parents.’
From her resting place in Anna’s arms, Ella noticed Anna was facing her new acquaintance while talking and laughing. When he reaches to take Anna’s hand, she lets Ella down on the floor. With Anna distracted, Ella coyly maneuvers her way outside the temple into the night air and over to Light Man.
“If He’s God’s Son, why is it necessary for him to learn anything?”
Light Man knelt and petted Ella and answered. “You are right, Princess Ella. He doesn’t need to learn any of this. It’s mankind that is in deficit. So, he submits and endures the process of maturity for the sake of all people. He is the replica of what each must discover…to grow up.” Light Man looked up and spoke beyond the crowds. “He came into this world as a gift from God the Father to model what is vital for humans to be able to return to righteousness.” He stood and lifted his hands and ascended towards heaven with brilliant colors of gold and bright almost blinding heavenly white light began to shine emanating from inside his body then out and on his face a softer shade of light blue. “Every valley lifted. Every mountain made low. Every rough place smooth. every winding path made straight until all of mankind might see, hear, feel, and begin to comprehend the truth about the height, depth, width, and length of God’s love and His plan of Salvation.”
Ella stared at the night sky as Light Man’s form slowly morphs into a star. “He sure knows how to make a great exit,” Ella purred into the night sky. “Good-bye my friend.”
“Kitty, kitty, Ella, where are you?” Ella turned around to see Anna and her new friend running hand in hand towards her. “Now what does this mean?” Sitting still, waiting for them to come to her, she paused and considered. “Well, maybe it’s time for me to return home and learn obedience, too…for now.”
Merry Christmas
By Kathy and Dave Benedetto, storyteller, and editor
And the entire Kitty Chronicle Staff, who chronically love kitties.
Copyright © 2022 at Library of Congress (pending)
Based on Luke 2:41-50 and the memory of Princess Ella, our favorite cat of antiquity.
Pictures acquired by Pexels, Free Bible Free Graphics, and family i-phones.
This story is part 3 and concludes A Christmas Blessing Trilogy
