Orthodox Parables and Stories: Two Babies in A Manger

In 1994, two teachers responded to an invitation to teach ethics at public schools that were grounded on Christian principles. They had taught in prisons, businesses, police stations and lastly in a large orphanage in Spain. About a hundred children lived there who had been abandoned by their parents. 

Christmas was approaching; from the teachers, the children of the orphanage were hearing for the first time the story of the birth of Christ. They learned about the arrival of the Virgin Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem, and how they could not find a room in the inns to stay, so they went to a stable, where the small Jesus was born and placed in a manger. 

Throughout the narration of the story, the children could not restrain their astonishment. They tried not to miss even one word from the tale. 

When it was finished, the children were given three pieces of cardboard to make a manger. They gave them yellow paper napkins, which they could cut out and make into straw, some brown felt to make the Baby’s figure, and a small rag for a blanket.

So, all the orphans started to make their mangers in a hurry. All was going well until it was the turn of a small child named Misa to show what he had made. He looked around six years old and had finished his manger first. 

The two teachers approached him, and looking at the manger, were astonished when they saw two babies instead of one. Little Misa crossed his hands and, looking at the manger, began to tell the story of Christ’s birth. For a child who had heard the story only once, his narration was very good, until he came to the part where the Mother of God placed the Heavenly Child in the manger. 

Then, the small boy Misa started to create his own ending to the story, and said: “And when the Virgin Mary placed the Baby in the Manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told Him that I didn’t have parents and that was why I didn’t have somewhere to stay. Then Jesus told me that I could stay there forever.” After the little boy had finished his story, his little eyes shone full of tears, which soaked his cheeks. He covered his face and bent his head down

The little orphan had finally met Someone, Who would never abandon him or take advantage of him, Someone Who would be with him forever, since He Himself is Life!

So, Christmas is not just the lights, the wreaths, the gifts, the laughter, the music, the festal table, the carols and the toys. It is something more than those material things. It is the magnificence that we have in us to be able to show, with acts of compassion, friendship and love for those around us.

 Christ’s birth is an historic event, but that which is of importance is that He be in us at every moment, since He is the beginning of a new life.

Let us then hasten to celebrate and enjoy Christmas - but so that we become more benevolent - and more theanthropic, since He is born within us.