- Mar 5, 2004
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An old legend says that a mother tabby cat with a new litter of kittens was in the stable at the time Jesus was born. The baby Jesus began to cry, and nothing would calm him. The cat jumped into the manger and curled up next to the baby Jesus. The cat was content and began purring louder until all of the people and animals in the stable were lulled to sleep by the calming sound. Everyone slept well, especially baby Jesus.
The next morning Mary awoke refreshed and asked God to bring a blessing onto the cat. She traced the letter "M" on it's forehead and that is why all tabby cats have that letter on their forehead. It is the letter for Madonna and serves as a reminder that God sends extraordinary help in a time of need.
Is this story true? Well, an innkeeper certainly could have kept cats in the stable to keep down the rodent population. It could also have been a feral cat that had moved into the stable to keep warm.
It seems to me that nativity scenes set up this time of year should include a sleeping tabby cat in the manger with the baby Jesus.
The next morning Mary awoke refreshed and asked God to bring a blessing onto the cat. She traced the letter "M" on it's forehead and that is why all tabby cats have that letter on their forehead. It is the letter for Madonna and serves as a reminder that God sends extraordinary help in a time of need.
Is this story true? Well, an innkeeper certainly could have kept cats in the stable to keep down the rodent population. It could also have been a feral cat that had moved into the stable to keep warm.
It seems to me that nativity scenes set up this time of year should include a sleeping tabby cat in the manger with the baby Jesus.
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