Did you know that the CWL Province’s Communicator Christmas Newsletter is out? It'‘s chock full of interesting stuff and you can read it by going to bcyukoncwl.com and then to the drop down box Communications and to newsletter. Here is a taste of what you can find in the Christmas Communicator.

Why Cats Purr

Grandma and her grand daughter, Scarlet, were taking a fresh batch of Christmas cookies out of the oven when Scarlet said, “Grandma, do you hear that? Caesar’s purring really loud.”

Grandma looked over to the kitchen’s hot air vent and saw the cat sleeping there, enjoying the warmth.

Scarlet asked, “Grandma, why do cats purr?’

Grandma answered, “Let’s sit down and try these cookies with some nice cold milk and I’ll tell you.”

When the two were sitting comfortably, Grandma said:

“A long time ago in a cold, cold night in Bethlehem, the street animals stood together for warmth and companionship in front of an inn.

Dog said, “Well, they’re not going to have any luck finding a room there. The place is packed. I have no idea where they’re going to go now.”

Ox asked, his mouth dribbling water from the trough, “Who?”

Donkey answered, “Mary and Joseph. I carried Mary all the way here. She’s going to have a baby. He’s going to be King and save all of us and THEY asked me of all donkeys to carry her here!”

All the animals stood in awe of Donkey who was given such a great privilege.

Chicken pecked a few morsels of food from the street and clucked, “If the baby is going to be king, we must give him presents!”

The animals considered this.

“Oh, I know,” said Chicken who was in a flap about the baby and the fact that the animals finally listened to her since they didn’t think Chicken was very smart, “I can give Mary and her husband and the baby my eggs. That’s it. People need eggs, you know.”

Now they animals were all excited.

“You know, “ howled Dog, “I can do what I do best. I can guard the family and keep them all safe from all harm; especially the baby. Babies can get into a lot of trouble, you know. I’ll protect him.”

But, there was one little animal, a street cat, who was very sad because he couldn’t think of what he could give the baby. He knew mom probably wouldn’t like him to bring her son a freshly caught rat. He just didn’t know what to do.

Then an idea struck him; an idea really from his guardian angel. He could sing to the baby. Only, Cat could just meow and hiss and that wouldn’t be nice for the baby. Mary and Joseph wouldn’t like that at all. That’s for sure.

Then a though occurred to Cat. He could hum his song in his little cat voice. The music and words came to him.

He began purring and all the animals understood his humming cat words:

THE CAT’S CAROL

CHORUS: “Mother do they know, mother do they know,

That God sent his son to the earth below.

VERSE: Cat’s in the loft purring soft and low,

Hen’s scratching round on the ground below.

Lamb’s bleating softly and nodding his head

And the Mare’s saying nothing for it’s all been said.

CHORUS: Mother do they know . . . . . . .

VERSE: Angels told the shepherds, wise men know the truth

That God’s son is sleeping ‘neath a stable roof.

Mary raise him wisely until that day

That God’s son will show us the truth and the way.

For God has sent the light to show us what is right

And God sent us Jesus this Christmas night.

For God and sent the light to show us what is right

And God sent us Jesus this Christmas night.

CHORUS: Mother, do they know, mother do they know

That God sent his son to the earth below.”

The animals were greatly touched by Cat’s song and they followed Mary and Joseph to where they would stay for the baby’s birth and gave their gifts to the new born King.”

Scarlet was thinking about all this when Grandma added, “That’s why when Cats are happy they purr their song to Jesus.

From the “Grandma Says” series by Gerry Heywood

Copyright by Gerry Heywood, all rights reserved.