“Dad, can’t it wait until tomorrow?”

“Sorry, Eli, I need you to clean out the barn.  It’s pretty smelly out there and we have a couple that needs somewhere to stay and that’s the very last place we have available – besides, we need to keep our animals healthy.”

“But, Dad, Abe invited me over to his house.  All of his family is in town and they are having a big party.”

“I know, I know but Eli I’ve told you what to do and I need your help.  You know that it’s really busy today.  You can go to Abe’s house after you’re done in the barn.”

Eli stomped out the back door – shutting the door none too kindly.

“Stupid barn, stupid guests, stupid animals, stupid hay,” grumbled Eli as he entered the barn and picked up the pitch fork.

The cows mooed as Eli shoved against them as he started to clean up. 

Eli had to admit that it really was pretty stinky in the barn.  The whole family had been pretty busy with all the travelers during the week.  Eli paused just a minute to rub the soft nose of Lanny, the donkey.  Lanny pushed his nose up against Eli’s cheek.  

The sheep baahed as he entered their pen to scattered some fresh hay.  This rooster went cock-a-doodle-do as Eli swept out the chicken roost.

Eli started out the barn when he remembered he needed to feed Lanny.  Eli went back inside and saw that his manger was empty.  “Here you go, Lanny,” said Eli as he filled the manger with fresh hay.

As Eli closed the door behind him he realized he had finished just in time.  He saw his father bringing a man and women around the corner of the house.  This woman was obviously going to have a baby – and soon!  Eli kind of felt sad that they had to stay in the barn.  But, at least he had just cleaned it up and there was fresh hay.  Hey, a few blanket and it would be just like home.

As Eli walked home from Abe’s house that night, he noticed a bright star in the sky that seemed like it was hanging right over his house.  He had not noticed this star before.  It was beautiful.  Other people in the town seemed to notice it too – many people paused to gaze into the sky, whispering quietly with family and friends about this being a sign of some sort but then turning to continue on about their business.

Eli was tired from all the activities of the day and the party so he was thankful to be tucked into bed for the night – after saying his nighttime prayers, of course.  When his Mom left his room he snuck over to the window to peak at the barn.  He kind of wondered if the man and woman were okay.  There was candlelight coming through the windows of the barn and he saw his Mom carrying a jug of water out to the barn.  It’s pretty late for her to be carrying water out to them.  He noticed that the bright star light filled his room with a pleasant glow as he crawled back into bed; but, he the light didn’t bother him as he soon drifted off to sleep.

Sometime during the night he was awakened to a baby’s cry.  It sounded like it was coming from the barn.  Eli hurried to his window and to his surprise he saw a group of men with long staffs, shepherds perhaps, talking with some going into the barn.  They too were pointing to the bright star.  He heard one say, “This is from God.”  He heard another one mention angels singing in a great chorus in the sky and telling them to come to this place.  It was clear that they were all excited.

Eli quickly dressed and ran downstairs.  His Mom and Dad were serving food and water to these men.  There was excited talk about a king.  Eli could not believe it.  A King?  Where? In the barn?  No way!

Eli went out to the barn but it was crowded with people coming and going.  He went around to his secret entrance – loose boards in the back – where he would sometimes play with his friends.  Eli easily slipped through the opening.

It was dimly lit in the barn but his eyes quickly adjusted.  The lady he had seen earlier was covered with a blanket and laying in the hay - rubbing Lanny’s nose.  Lanny had to like that Eli thought.

The shepherds were starring at a little bundle held by the man.  A few were kneeling in front of him.

The man turned and put the bundle into Lanny’s manger.  There was a little cry as the bundle was gently snuggled into the fresh hay.  

The man looked up and saw Eli.  He motioned for Eli to come closer.

“What’s your name, young man?” asked the man.

“I’m Eli.  I live here – in the Inn.”

“Very nice to meet you, Eli.  I am Joseph and this is my wife, Mary.  And this is our first child - just born tonight – we will name him Jesus.”

Eli looked at the little baby laying there in the hay.   Eli almost thought the baby smiled at him.

“Sir,” said Eli looking up at Joseph. “Is that star in the sky for Jesus?”

“Son, I think so.  This is a special night and Mary and I don’t understand everything that is happening.  But, it’s clear that God’s hand is in all of this tonight.”

Eli just nodded.

“Sir,” said Eli once more.  “Can I get more fresh hay for Jesus?  I know it is not much but I will be glad to get it for you.”

“Eli, I am sure that Jesus would be very happy to receive that small gift from you.”

Eli burst from the barn - so happy to be getting him fresh hay – so anxious to be helping Jesus.  Eli somehow knew this was a special night and a very special child.  Eli was glad to be serving in his little way - maybe somehow serving God by bringing a little fresh hay as a gift for Jesus.