The Legend of the Dove

The cool night air settled upon the meager home and drifted into the rafters creating a chill unto all the inhabitants. As the little pigeon puffed out her humble feathers and tried to drift asleep that night she was awakened to the sound of murmurings down below. For the past few days, her caretakers had been discussing a journey that would take place very soon. She would just as soon stay perched here in the safety of the well built wooden framed house, than to try and make the journey with them. She had lived here all of her life and rarely left because of the shame she felt about her unkempt appearance. Her feathers were not vibrant like those of the parrot's or peacocks, and she did not have the mesmerizing voice like the finches or sparrows. As she listened closely to all that was taking place below, she made the decision to step out of her comfort zone and accompany the couple on their trip. Her love for the couple was great because of their love for her. As she recalled the times that she had landed on the various tables, chairs, and cabinets that he was making, he would quietly and humbly feed her morsels of food that gave her life. "Yes," she thought, she would quietly go with them to lend a familiar song or a friendly perch. As the journey began, at times she thought that she could not make it to the end. Then, at the time when she thought she could go no further, she peered below and saw that her friend was going through a trial much more difficult than she could ever endure. As the donkey clicked down the rock worn path, her friend said nothing, knowing that the journey would be well worth her pain. After what seemed like years of traveling, lights appeared in the distance. She could tell that her friends were very happy that they had reached their destination, because the trip had taken a toll on everyone. Tears slowly crept down her friends' faces as they went from inn to inn trying to find a place to lodge for the night. With each passing moment an intense pain grew inside her friend. In desperation, they were told that they could find shelter in the back of one of town's inns. In a matter of seconds the couple found their way to the small shelter which housed many of the goats, sheep, and cows from the town. As they settled down, the pigeon flew to a familiar wooden rafter and watched at the activity below. A warm inviting light caught her attention and she looked up to see the most glorious star that she had ever seen shining directly on them. Immediately, her attention was drawn to the heavenly glow that shown around them all. Hosts of angels were round about them, arms outstretched and singing the most beautiful songs that she had ever heard. Her heart soared as she saw them and listened to them, secretly wishing that she had a gift such as this to give to her friends below. A still, small voice rent through the night time air that drew the attention of the angels, animals, and the small humbled pigeon. As everyone gathered around to see the small bundle swaddled in tiny cloths, everyone bowed their heads and began to kneel in humble adoration. She know that something great was taking place here on this silent, Holy, night and she wanted so desperately to show her love and appreciation for the newborn King. What was she, but an unattractive, ill-sounding bird? Before she could stop her feet, she accidentally slipped off of her rafter and fell into the straw beside her king. Trying to get her balance she lifted her wing and touched the babes' tiny cheek. As He curled his tiny hands around her wing and smiled into her eyes, she felt a warm glow throughout her entire body. Love beyond measure flowed through her, along with never-ending grace. As He let go of her wing she stretched them out and noticed that she no longer had the dull, ugly colors of a pigeon. She was washed as white as snow on a cold winter's day. As she peered into His eyes she saw her reflection and recognized that she was no longer the same. She had been transformed by His power and love. No longer was she able to contain her joy, and a heavenly sound was sent forth from somewhere deep inside her being. As she sang and rejoice with the Heavenly hosts, she knew that her heart would forever belong to Him.