“Look, your king will come to you…riding on a donkey...” Zechariah 9:9

Dear Friends:

The donkeys are coming! The donkeys are coming!!! This Sunday, Advent III December 16 for 10:00 a.m. worship with the Christmas Pageant, the donkeys are visiting! 

Now, we all know donkeys are regularly featured in the Bible. The most familiar story is of course, Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem that leads to his pending death upon the cross. Before entering, from the outskirts of the city, Jesus instructs his disciples to go and find the donkey tied up, waiting. The disciples do just as Jesus instructs. Bringing the animal to him, they lift Jesus onto the donkey and they all march victoriously into Jerusalem. Backtracking, we can assume that a donkey accompanied Mary and Joseph into Bethlehem.

Donkeys are helpful in traveling on rough terrain, especially when it’s necessary to carry a heavy load. So, it seems only natural that Joseph, in escorting a very pregnant Mary to his hometown to be counted for the census would want Mary to ride on a donkey. Riding a donkey doesn’t necessarily make the trip more efficient. If a donkey chooses to stop and sniff, that is exactly what a donkey will do. While it may look as though a human guide is leading the donkey; stop and look again. Actually, the donkey is taking the lead. So, it’s very possible that Mary and Joseph walked the some ninety miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. At donkey speed, the journey could entail anywhere from seven to ten days! It’s no wonder Mary needed a resting place as soon as they reached Bethlehem.

Donkeys are marked with a cross on their back. The legend finds its roots from the story of Jesus riding into Jerusalem and onto what would eventually be his pathway to the cross. The donkey was forever at Jesus’ side and awaited Jesus at Calvary. Upon Jesus’ death, his donkey was so stricken with sadness and grief, he turned away from the cross. At the same time, a shadow of the cross bearing Jesus fell upon the donkey’s back, embedding the mark of the cross onto the donkey. To this very day, all donkeys are known to bear the cross of Jesus.

On Sunday the children of Epiphany are celebrating the birth of Christ with the annual depiction of the Christmas Pageant. And yes, thanks to equine veterinarian Dr. Bernadette Smith and her very supportive husband, Brandon, as a family of animal lovers who raises donkeys, live donkeys will participate in the pageant. All are welcome to visit with Milly and Daisy before pageant time as they will be in the parking lot by 9:30 and happy to give you a sniff.

We’re a little early this year with the Christmas Pageant as Advent III is on our calendar. But, families travel and too often children wanting to be in the pageant are missing the joyful time. So, we’re accelerating just a bit. We’ll be back to Advent IV on December 23 with 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. worship. As well, December 24, Christmas Eve, we’ll gather for 2:00 p.m. Family Worship with a special lesson for kids and a short message for adults. At 9:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve a candlelit worship with guest musicians will reign in Christmas. Then, on Christmas Day at 10:00 a.m. we’ll give thanks for the birth of Christ in our lives with a short Holy Eucharist.

May this Advent season continue to take you on a journey of strength and courage as we wait upon the Lord. See you Sunday for the best Christmas Pageant ever! Oh, should you wish to worship traditional Advent III Holy Eucharist, as always, 8:30 a.m. worship without donkeys and without a Christmas Pageant is being held as well.

Many blessings,

Hillary