Friendly Beasts
A Restful Christmastide Pageant, Scene 4
There is no specific scripture for today’s scene, but the labor and companionship of animals are implied throughout the entire Incarnation narrative—from Joseph and Mary’s journey to Bethlehem to the manger, the fields of flocks, flight to Egypt, and the traveling magi. Enjoy this curation of artists and hymn writers imagining the friendly beasts welcoming Jesus their “brother kind and good.”
Jesus our brother, kind and good (The Friendly Beasts)
Traditional English carol
1 Jesus our brother, kind and good,
Was humbly born in a stable rude,
And the friendly beasts around him stood,
Jesus our brother, kind and good.
2 "I," said the donkey, shaggy and brown,
"I carried his mother uphill and down.
I carried his mother to Bethlehem town.
I," said the donkey shaggy and brown.
3 "I," said the cow, all white and red,
"I gave him my manger for his bed.
I gave him my hay to pillow his head.
I," said the cow all white and red.
4 "I," said the sheep with curly horn,
"I gave him my wool for hi…
