Little Donkey

We’ve already received a good number of Christmas cards – the usual designs – Victorian Christmas scenes, Santa, snowmen, Christmas trees, robins…

Some of our good Christian friends ensure that their cards illustrate the Christmas narrative – Joseph leading Mary who’s riding a donkey into the ‘little town of Bethlehem’; a stable scene with Mary and Joseph looking at a baby in a manger, and the donkey next to ‘an oxen’ feeding on hay…

‘Little Donkey’ was often part of my Christmas repertoire in school: Little donkey, little donkey on the dusty road, got to keep on plodding onwards with your precious load…

I read the story again and smile. There’s no mention of innkeeper, stable, hay… or donkey… nor indeed birth plan, midwives or health and hygiene provision.

As far as I can make out there’s two mentions of donkeys in the Bible. This morning I read Peter referring to Balaam, an Old Testament prophet, who got in a bit of a pickle with money and religion ‘He was rebuked by a donkey – a beast without speech – who spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.’ (2 Peter 2:16)

I fear that this Christmas some of us may need to hear this donkey-wisdom; we may get into a bit of a pickle with money and religion… our madness may need restraining …

In a few months’ time we shall remember Palm Sunday and the other donkey narrative. The baby of Bethlehem, the Prince of Peace, rides into Jerusalem on a donkey… Another picture of a donkey-wisdom restraining madness.

In the meantime, I shall muse on Winnie-the-Pooh’s donkey-friend, Eeyore, who was depressed, pessimistic and gloomy… Shrek’s donkey-friend who was talkative, smart and optimistic… and friends who can ‘talk the hind legs off a donkey’… each bringing donkey-wisdom in times of madness.

…and Mary and Joseph who, with or without a donkey, travelled alone, into the unknown, trusting their God to guide, protect and provide for them… bringing wisdom to their apparent madness.