A Cricket's Christmas: The Bethlehem Story

By David G. Hennessey

Chirp and his friends live in a Bethlehem manger. He wonders what is so special about himself. He can't climb like his spider friends, fly like Faiga the Swallow or scout the outside world like the mice twins, Scamp and Scurry. What good is it being a cricket? All of this is about to change as the signs concerning the birth of Jesus Christ begin to appear. First the star, which causes such a stir in the manger that Chirp and his friends have to see it. Then other signs appear, along with strangers. Follow Chirp and his friends on their epic journey to discover what it all means and see how it changes one crickets life forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David G. Hennessey
• Release date: Mar 8, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458069955

David G. Hennessey

Teacher in China, author and travel buff.

Book preview

A Cricket's Christmas

The Bethlehem Story

By

David G. Hennessey

Hennessey definitely weaves a good story and has created a nice holiday book that has great potential. A Cricket’s Christmas has the potential to be a Christmas classic. Well done

- Shannon Yarbrough, www.llbookreview.com

Published by David G. Hennessey at Smashwords

Text copyright © 2009 David G. Hennessey

This book is also available in print at most online retailers.

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Manger

Chapter 2: The Climb

Chapter 3: The New Star

Chapter 4: The Night Flight

Chapter 5: The Three Wise Men

Chapter 6: Joseph and Mary

Chapter 7: Visitors

Chapter 8: The Sheep

Chapter 9: The Pen

Chapter 10: The Shepherds

Chapter 11: Back Home

Chapter 12: Sunrise

Chapter 13: The New King

Chapter 14: The Shepherds Visit

Chapter 15; The Wise Men Visit

Chapter 16: The Miracle

A Cricket's Christmas

The Bethlehem Story

By

David G. Hennessey

We all know the story of Jesus and his birth in the manger at Bethlehem. We also know, for instance, that he was the promised Messiah looked for by all the prophets and people for thousands of years. And we know of his miraculous life that electrified the world of religion as it was then known. But we may never know all the events, all the hopes or all the dreams that rested upon that one singular moment in the history of the world. And I suppose, if we could write them all down, we might not have room enough on this planet to contain the volumes yet unspoken of miracles wrought and lives changed by the birth of Jesus Christ.

Now, some may dispute all the wonderful things he did, and it is not the intention of this writer to argue for or against those conclusions. Rather, it is the intent of this book to introduce yet one more story, one more point of view, one more possible scenario.

As fully functional and coherent people we realize that humans on this earth are singularly blessed with many gifts, all given for the benefit and edification of self and mankind. And it is in the use of those gifts that we and others are blessed.

That having been said, the two gifts that distinguish us from all other creatures on this earth are the ability to think rationally, and the ability to speak. As far as we know, only humans are capable of performing these two functions.

But what if that weren’t so? What if animals could think and speak? And what if they witnessed the one most spectacular event in all of history? What would they say?

This book, then, such as it is, may provide yet another glimpse of what we today can only imagine happened, what they might have thought and said regarding the most important event in all of history, the birth of Jesus Christ.

Chapter 1: The Manger

"Mom, mom, mom, mom!" begged Chirp eagerly as he hopped closer to his home near the manger entrance. He and his friends had been playing down near the sheep pen and had spent the morning trying to get Hezekiah the sheep to explain why he was always losing his wool. After all, it seemed weird that anybody would want to use somebody else’s skin to cover themselves.

Yes, son, replied Hannah softly, turning to face him while using her feet to clean the area around the baseboards of their home. Chirp and his mother were crickets and lived under the floorboard in the wall near the entrance to the manger. I’m here. What is it?

Mom, Chirp continued, why do Eiten, Ephraim and Leah get to climb up in the rafters and I can’t? Huh? Why?

Because, replied Hannah patiently, they are spiders and that’s what spiders do.

But mom, Chirp continued impatiently, why do they get to do it and I can’t? I’m older than they are and bigger. And I can hop farther too.

I know, replied Hannah pleasantly. But you’re a cricket and must do what crickets do. They are spiders and must do what spiders do.

But what can I do? asked Chirp somewhat frustrated. I mean, I don’t see anything I can do.

Well, responded Hannah, someday you will be able to make beautiful music with your wings and that music will make others very happy. You are special and have a wonderful gift to give to others.

But I can’t make music now, stated Chirp in frustration.

I know, replied Hannah calmly. But someday you will and then everyone will want your gift.

Hmmph, sulked Chirp, I don’t think that’s very fair. I still wanna climb around like all the other kids get to. They get to have all the fun.

I know, laughed Hannah. I know. Now, have you finished practicing your music for the day?

Yes momma, but I’m still not very good, he replied slowly.

You will be soon enough, stated Hannah. Now, come here and have some breakfast. You took off so early this morning that I didn’t have time to feed you.

Ahhhh, I don’t want any breakfast, replied Chirp sullenly. I’m not hungry.

Maybe not, replied Hannah, but just the same you need to eat something so that you will grow up big and strong.

Ok, agreed Chirp reluctantly. If I have to.

As Chirp sat down to eat some of the food his mother had prepared for him he looked around at the huge place he called home. He could see all around, from the front of the manger to way, way back in the back of the stalls where nobody really went. It was a little darker back there and even though it was safe Chirp never wandered back there unless he was with his friends. He’d heard scary stories and his imagination played wild tricks with all those dark shadows and different smells. Nope, he liked the light and wanted some day to go outside and see what it was all about.

His home was near the front, by the entrance of the manger because his mother wanted to be where the first rays of sunlight came in. She said it warmed the spirit and made everything look brighter each day. Chirp didn’t know about that but he did like being close to all the action, so near the front of the manger.

Just then a movement off to his left caught his attention. It was the mice twins, Scamp and Scurry. They lived under an old bale of hay back against the