Davey and The First Christmas

Davey and The First Christmas
By Beth Vardon
Let*s pretend there was a boy, and Davey
was his name, Whose family lived in
Bethlehem when Christmastime first came.
Davey had a special pet a donkey small and gray,
And what the two of them did best was
getting in the way!
Davey named the donkey Tim. He never rode him though.
Either Tim was built too high or Davey
was too low!
Davey*s father had an inn where people
came to stay;
And lots and lots and LOTS of them
were coming there one day.
His father was as busy as six or seven bees!
So Davey said, *I want to help, can*t I do something, please?
Tim would like to help you, too. Find a job for us to do!*
*Listen, Son,* his father said, *last week you broke three jugs.
You scared my two best customers with your pet lightening bugs!
You tracked in mud on my clean floor, you tripped and dropped the
bread.
And though I loved the fish you caught*why leave them on my bed?
I*ve put up with your helpfulness as long as I am able.
So, do me one big favor now, get out*and clean the stable!*
Davey sadly went and stood beside the stable door.
It hardly seemed that anyone could clean that dirty floor.
He and Tim both felt so bad they started to cry*
But then (thought Davey), Yes, we can! Well, anyhow*let*s try.
First, let*s chase those chickens
out, He and Tim together.
So Tim began to flap his ears
while Davey shouted, *Shoooo!*
The chickens clucked and flew
and ducked, they fluttered wild
and scary,
Until their feathers filled the air
like snow in January.
Yes, Davey chased those chickens out, He and Tim together.
But now, he had to get a sack and pick up every feather!
You should have seen how hard they worked! They stacked up all
the wheat.
They straightened up the harnesses till they were nice and neat.
They fought with spiders bravely till they chased out every bug.
And since we must admit the truth*they broke another jug!
The very biggest job of all was stacking up the hay.
Davey climbed up to the loft and put it all away.
*look, Tim. You see how high it is? I*ll make just one more trip.*
Then clear up by the stable roof his feet began to slip!
Down came the hay and Davey, too. The stable looked so queer-
All you could see was piles of hay*one sandal, and one ear!
Slowly they came out on top, and Davey
didn*t whine,
Though hay stuck out al over him just like
a porcupine!
He put the Hay all back again an stacked it
up with care*
But left one armload down below to fill the
manger there.
So Davey*s work was done at last, and when it all looked neat
He picked some flowers to trim the barn, and some for Tim to eat.
*I hope it*s clean enough,* he thought. *At least I did my best,* And
feeling very, very tired, he curled up for a rest*.
Who woke up Davey from his sleep? Just guess them if you can.
Mary was the woman*s name, Joseph was the man.
Mary said, *Oh Joseph, look! This is a lovely place!*
Then, seeing Davey there, she said, with such a shining face,
*Your father*s inn had no more rooms, tonight we*re staying here.
So tell me now, are you the boy who cleaned the stable, dear?
And did your donkey help
you work? We want to
thank him, too.*
Though Davey was still half
asleep, his heart was glad
clear through.
So that is how a little boy,
two thousand years ago,
Stayed on to hear the
angels sing, and see the
Star aglow.
As soon as baby Jesus came to use the manger bed,
Then Davey*s sack of feathers made a pillow for His head.
No one told Davey any more that he was in the way.
His work had helped get ready for the world*s first Christmas Day!