Each year as we view the Christmas scene of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in the manger, we are reminded to thank the Lord for coming to this earth to provide salvation for all mankind. Not wishing to take anything away from this blessed event, have you ever noticed the roles in the divine drama played by animals?

How did Mary get to Bethlehem from Nazareth? Although the Bible does not tell us, it is assumed that, especially in her condition, she rode the back of an animal, whether donkey or camel.

Because there was no room in the inn, they were offered what we would call a barn, for there, when Jesus was born, they laid Him in a manger, a feeding trough for animals.

Note that the angel of the Lord appeared immediately to shepherds “abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Not only was Jesus born amidst farm animals, the angelic announcement was made to shepherds with sheep all around.

When the days of Mary’s purification following the birth of Jesus were accomplished, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem where they offered a sacrifice prescribed in the law: A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

We are all aware of the countless number of animals that were offered in the Old Testament to satisfy God’s requirements for sin and worship. This is not an attempt to elevate the status of animals to the place given them by radical animal rights groups. For the Bible says that “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you” (Genesis 9:3). God also said that man would have dominion over “every thing that creepeth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:26).

I suppose the real purpose of this Christmas letter is to acknowledge the place that animals have in the general scheme of things, and perhaps to remind us that we are to treat them respectfully. The Message Bible renders Proverbs 12:10, “Good people are good to their animals, the “good-hearted” bad people kick and abuse them.”

We wish you and your animals a great Christmas. How should it be a great Christmas for you and animals? They don’t have to be offered anymore for our sins, and we don’t have to die for our sins. Jesus, the Lamb of God, took, not only the animals’ place, but our place, and died that we might have everlasting life.