Every year on Christmas Eve, I pause to do nothing but use various needles to stab bits of wool, and hours later I get something like this.
I asked for a needle felting kit some years ago, and making a felted bauble was my way of decompressing before Christmas when I often cook for a much larger group of people than I normally would do.
Why a donkey?
In the run-up to Christmas I tried keeping up (but failed) with two sets of Advent readings based on the Bible. The one from The Leprosy Mission (a charity I have supported for many years) reminded me of the significance of the lowly donkey.
Donkeys seem to have had a special place in God’s heart too, as witnesses and connectors at key, often prophetic, moments in history. There’s the talking donkey in Numbers 22. Beaten for trying to protect an ignorant prophet from disobeying God. In turn, the Lord opens the donkey’s mouth, and it begins to speak. Balaam is so shocked that his stubbornness melts away.
It is widely believed that Mary rode into Bethlehem on a donkey. And surely, Jesus being laid in a manger, it’s not unreasonable to expect a donkey or two looking on. Wondering why this little gathering was so special that even dignitaries visit. Perhaps they’re lost? Other babies
born in lowly circumstances don’t get such attention.
Centuries after it was written, Jesus fulfils the prophesy of Zechariah 9:9 as He rides into Jerusalem. Not on a war horse, but a young donkey. The very selection of this foal feels mysterious. Unprepared as it was, Jesus foresaw that it would be available and ready for a momentous journey. Carrying the humble King who wins victory over sin and death. The Christ revealed in the nativity scene.
But what happened when I eventually did get to sit down to felt that donkey. Some random thoughts ….
It looks more like a sheep.
O no! that’s a camel!
Now the legs are far too long.
The donkey can’t stand!
Clearly I didn’t have the brains to make a felted animal look like a donkey. Then it was only a hop, skip, and jump to the grateful realisation that I was not tasked with designing animals (or anything) at the dawn of time.
God in his wisdom and perfection made all these animals to fulfil their various tasks within the eco-system. Nothing was an accident or afterthought.
My Little Donkey had to undergo some painful “surgery” after Christmas when I shortened its legs to give it better stability. Otherwise, as a guest pointed out, it would have to go into a donkey sanctuary. Instead, it has now gone on the tree, to join its mates.
They will be brought out on display year after year.
I look forward to greater service for God in the new year. Be like the humble donkey.
Happy new year, everyone!
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