DECEMBER 23, 2024 – Trixie is a lovely German Shepherd and lives happily with Joan, Ted, their son Allan and Tobey, their cat. Trixie is a good, gentle dog and only chases Tobey to play. Her main problem is that she likes to sneak out and run with her friend Onka. Onka is a collie and together they run and play and have a good time. However, one Christmas, because of Trixie’s sneaking out to play, she almost missed Christmas……for good.
This particular Christmas Eve, Trixie looked out the window as the snow fell softly to the earth, to suddenly see her friend Onka dash through the snow. Trixie whined and barked and tried to run out but Joan was firm. “I haven’t time to-day to chase you all over the neighborhood, Trixie. You will have to wait for Allan to get home from his party and take you out. Now go and play with your ball instead.”
Trixie whined and whined at the window. Onka was teasing Trixie by calling her. Onka ran through the snow and threw some of the white stuff up in the air with her nose. All Trixie could do was watch and whine.
As it happened, Joan’s grocery order arrived and as the delivery boy waited at the door while Joan went to get some money, Trixie saw her chance and out she ran.
Outside, Onka laughed to see her friend and off they ran, over the hill and into the woods where the animals of the forest were gathering on this Holy Eve to honor the Christ Child.
Much later, when Joan discovered that Trixie was missing, Joan searched the house for her. Joan even asked Tobey, who was curled up under the Christmas tree, if she had seen Trixie but Tobey just purred indifferently and went back to sleep. Joan went outside and looked for the dog but Trixie was nowhere to be seen. “Well”, Joan said, “Allan will be looking for her when he gets home It’s not the first time she has sneaked off. She’ll be back.”
As it grew dark and the twinkling stars came out to play on this Holiest of nights, church bells started to chime and people filled the streets bringing gifts to the friends and loved ones. But, there was no sign of Trixie and Joan couldn’t find Tobey either. Joan looked out at the freshly fallen snow, saw the happy people bustling about and said with a feeling of premonition,” Dear God, don’t let anything happen to that dog or cat or Allan will never sleep to-night.”
Allan finally arrived home and shouted, “Hi, Mom. Did we have fun at the party! Hey, where’s Trixie?,” he asked when his faithful greeter was not there to lick his face.
“I don’t…really know, Allan. You know how she runs off with Onka. Well, she must have sneaked out when the delivery boy was here with the groceries and she’s run off. Now, don’t worry. Let’s call Onka’s owner and see if she’s home or not. I’ve already looked outside twice and they are nowhere to be seen,” Joan said.
Joan called Onka’s master while Allan watched nervously out the window. It was not like Trixie or Onka to miss supper. After making the phone call, Joan put her arm around Allan and said, ”Onka’s not home either, Allan dear. You know how they love the snow. I bet they are running in the woods. They’ll soon get tired, hungry and cold and then they’ll come home. Wait and see. In the meantime, help me wrap Daddy’s presents before he comes home. Ok?” She gently took Allan by the shoulders towards the gifts to be wrapped, leaving him no chance to stand at the window and worry about his pets. “I hope that they haven’t been stolen”, worried Allan, with one eye on the presents and the other on the door.
“Allan, no one is going to steal someone’s pets on Christmas Eve. Trixie and Tobey are off running with Onka somewhere…..again.”
“Where can they be?” worried Allan. “Where can they be?”
In the forest is where Trixie was with Onka and all the animals from the neighboring woods. A certain euphoria had come over the animals that Eve. The dogs were too busy singing to chase the cats: the rabbits were too busy preparing a special Christmas Eve feast to fear the wolves: the skunks were busy cracking and roasting nuts with the squirrels to wonder if they were really wanted. Everyone, the raccoons, the chipmunks and every animal and bird you could name were there. Why, even Tobey, Allan’s cat was there joining in the fun.
As Tobey greeted Trixie, Tobey said,” You’re in the dog house, Trixie. Joan is looking all over for you and I bet Allan is home by now and thinks you’ve been stolen. He always does when you are gone so long.”
“I can imagine”, laughed Trixie. “And what about you? You’re a run-a-way too…for a few hours at least.”
“Yeah…I wouldn’t miss this party for anything”, laughed Tobey. “Where’s the food?”
And food there was. Lots of it. Nuts and fruits. Cheese brought by the cute little field mice and even the dogs had brought extra bones. What a feast they had! What games they played! What carols they sang praising the Christ Child on the very Eve of His Birthday. This is what they sang:
“Oh, Little Baby Jesus,
You know we love You so.
Your Love surrounds and warms us
And gives a lovely glow.
Oh, Little Baby Jesus,
We honor and adore.
And every year to us, it seems
We love You more and more.”
“Merry Christmas Everyone”
Meanwhile, Allan was trying to get to sleep but he had been in bed for hours and still no sign of Trixie or Tobey. He was worried because it was very cold outside. “I know what to do”, he cried as he hopped out of bed and ran downstairs. “I’ll write a note to Santa and ask him to look out for Trixie and Tobey.” This is what he wrote:
‘Dear Santa: Thank you for all the toys last year and Merry Christmas. If you see my dog Trixie and my cat Tobey, would you please bring them home to us? We miss them so much. Having them home for Christmas will be the greatest present of all. Thanks, Santa. PS: Enjoy your milk and cookies and there is corn for the reindeer. Love, Allan’
Allan finally fell asleep but his dreams were troubled.
Around and around the animals danced, sang and ate their feast under the big fir tree in the middle of the forest. A wonderful bright Star shone down on the happy animals and blessed them. Despite the cold, freezing air, the animals were warmed by the light of a special Star and all Heaven watched their fun.
Suddenly, as Trixie ran to get a bone, she bumped smack into a tree trunk and hit her head. She lay lifeless in the snow.
“Trixie”, cried Onka. “Are you alright? Oh, look, Tobey….all of you…Trixie is really hurt.”
“What can we do?”cried the worried animals.
“I don’t know what to do”, said Onka. “ At this hour, everyone is at church or in bed asleep. What should we do?” Onka asked the Owl who was known for his wisdom.
“OO, OO, OO,” hooted the Owl. “You are asking me what to do about this poor unfortunate dog? OO, OO, OO. Why,” he cried in alarm as he took her pulse, “She is almost dead. OO, OO. Let me think. Let me think.”
All the animals fell silent so the Owl could really think. Just then the Church bells rang announcing the end of the services. People were going home.
“Hum”, said the Owl, as he saw the brilliant light from the Star which now was shining directly over Trixie. “Why, of course”, he laughed. “This is Christmas Eve! I know what to do. Follow me and bring Trixie.”
Quickly the animals made a stretcher of pine and cedar boughs and a strange procession, led by the wise old Owl, came out of the forest that night carrying with them their dear wounded friend, guarded by the light of the Star.
As the last bells pealed at St. Mark’s church, two priests were still in the church vestry: Father Patrick and Father Foley. They were removing their special Christmas robes which they had worn for the Mid-night Mass.
“Father Patrick, did you remember to turn off the lights in the church, me boy? the older Father Foley asked in his fine Irish brogue.
“Oh, I forgot, Father. I will do it right away”, Father Patrick said.
As the young priest stepped into the church near the altar, he saw a very unusual sight. Near the Nativity, knelt many, many animals.
“What…what…is this? Am I dreaming?” he asked himself.
Then he saw a strange pure Light which seemed to surround the animals. They were kneeling and it seemed to the priest that the animals were singing so softly that he could barely hear them. He fell to his knees as he saw a miracle unfold.
Father Foley came into the church just then and was surprised to see Father Patrick on his knees. The elderly priest soon saw the brilliant Light and when he heard the animals singing and praying, he too fell on his knees in awe and wonder.
They sang:
Oh, Holy One. Oh, Loving One
We bring our wounded friend.
Please heal her and restore her life,
So she can live again.
Oh, Holy One. Oh, Jesus Babe,
We honor and adore.
Please cure our friend
And make her live
As happily as before.”
It seemed to the two men who starred in wonder that the Light became stronger and a Heavenly Host of Angels surrounded the wounded, silent dog. The Angels sang with voices so sweet that the priest shivered from the sound. Were the statues of the Nativity smiling also? The Little Babe in the manger seemed to be smiling at the dog. Could this be, wondered the priests? It was hard to tell exactly because the Light was so bright.
Suddenly Trixie sat up and was soon standing amongst her friends once more. The animals cried out in delight and thanksgiving. Then the Mysterious Hosts started to fade from sight and an awesome hush fell over the whole church as everyone there knew that they had witnessed a Gift of Love and Life from our Heavenly Father.
The priests watched in amazement as the joyful procession left the church. Finally, Father Foley broke the spell and blessed himself.
“I must run and tell the bishop.” He cried.
“No, Father”, said the younger priest, “They will never believe us.”
“Begora, I do believe that you are right! Why, Father Patrick, I can hardly believe it meself.”
On the way home, the animals met Santa Claus just as he was about to fly through the sky. “Can you take Trixie , Tobey and Onka Home, Santa?”, asked the Owl.
“Sure”, Santa said. “Allan left me a note and I was looking for you. We’d better fly.” And fly they did.
At home, Trixie and Tobey waved good-bye to Santa and his reindeer and said good-night to Onka. They scratched at the door and waited. Joan heard it first, then Ted and then Allan. All three raced down the stairs at what seemed to be the same time and flew open the door. On the doorstep sat Trixie and Tobey, all smiles.
“Trixie! Tobey!” cried Allan, as he hugged the both. “Am I glad to see you! You rascals! , he scolded. “Don’t you know it’s Christmas?”
Tobey winked at Trixie. “Don’t we know it is Christmas? We know better than anyone, eh Trix?”
Everyone was happy and kissed each other. “Merry Christmas”, they cried.
And Merry Christmas to all of us. Merry Christmas everyone. And Happy Hanukkah to all our Jewish friends.
Story first published here on CFN on December 18, 2013