I just received my 2011 Heifer International catalog. Have you heard of Heifer International?
When you donate to Heifer International, you help a needy family to become self sufficient by providing them with the means to develop a home industry and feed their families. Gifts include a variety of animals (goats, pigs, sheep, bunnies, chicks, heifers, donkeys, water buffalos, camels, llamas, ducks, geese, oxen, guinea pigs and honeybees,) as well as tree saplings and seeds.
I love looking at my little Heifer Catalog. It's a thing of beauty and inspiration. I love giving Heifer Christmas gifts in my children's and husband's names. To me, a Heifer International gift exemplifies the true meaning of Christmas.
If you want to know more about Heifer International, you can find them on the web at
Now here's a little poem I wrote, inspired by my Heifer International Christmas Catalog.
The Heifer's Christmas
When Mary and Joseph took a trip
To Bethlehem from Nazareth
Mary said, "He's coming soon!
Hurry Joseph, find a room."
But everywhere that Joseph went
The inns were full, no rooms to rent
Until a woman finally said,
I guess that you could make a bed
With the beasts out in the barn
And Mary said, "How kind you are."
And so upon a bed of hay
She birthed Lord Jesus where she lay
A heifer watching very near
Whispered, "Look, a baby's here!
I wish that I could give a gift
He's beautiful, just look at him!
She thought a bit and then she mooed,
A lullaby, a heifer tune
Goat murmured to her friend the sheep
"I'll give him milk, you give him fleece."
Three bunnies and a clutch of chicks
Shyly gave the babe a kiss
Then donkey brayed, "He'll ride my back
To Egypt, and I'll hide my tracks!"
The old ox groaned, "Just let him sleep,
They need to rest before they leave."
So Jesus slept and Mary dozed
And when the night got very cold
The beasts stood near to keep them warm
The Virgin and the babe just born
The good beasts watched the whole night long
And Heifer wished she knew more songs
She tried to sing the baby's name
But 'Moo' was all her lips would say
So Heifer mooed her joy and praise
For Jesus Christ on Christmas Day
Be Well and Good Luck, Martha Maria