[Woodcarver] Merry Christmas

[Dave Tygart]

our Christmas present to the List

                          I Have No Stable
                          by Patrick A. Boyle

I am not running for office, nor do I sell Avon, cars, insurance, seed
corn, brushes or balloons.  It is only because I recognize you as a
fellow traveller in this vale of tears that I share this message with
you.

Last night I had a dream.  I dreamed Christ was coming to my stable.
When I awakened I said, "Lord, I have no stable."

"Gone is the livery barn with it's vacant stall where countless
calves, colts and kittens first saw the light of day.  It would have
been ideal."

"Gone, too is the lean-to under the cottonwoods where we used to milk
the cows.  It would have been shelter from the cold."

"The machine shed is new but it's steel sides and cement floor are not
too  inviting.  Inside, the diesels have been silent since last
November, so their breath would not be warm."

"Within the house, returning sons and daughters fill all the spare
bedrooms.  Sleeping bags filled with grandkids cover the living room
floor.  In the basement the tree is surrounded with presents and the
table is set awaiting the feast, but the Son of God has no where to
lay His head."

"But don't give up, Lord.  Could you use my heart?  If I bedded it down
with the straw of humility, warmed it with the sunshine of brotherly
love, filled it's manger with thanksgiving for the earth and it's
goodness, opened it's doors to all of God's creatures, the poor, the
lonely, the handicapped, and the forgotten?  Would it not then be as
worthy as that stable in Bethlehem so long ago?"


"I hope so, Lord, I hope so."

About the Author

Patrick Aloysius Boyle, son of David and Susan Boyle, was born in
Dougherty Iowa in 1918. As a lad he grew up on the family farm near
Dougherty. He married Theresa in 1944 and moved across the road to farm
and raise a family of eight children, Jean Ann, Stephen, Terence,
Martha, Mark, Carol, Sheila and Francis. It wasn't until most of his
children were gone that he began writing in his "spare time." From his
new home at Killarney Kastle, he continued to delight many with his
poems and articles.

Scrivener's Note: He was also my well loved Father In Law. He passed away
on February 9, 1995 after a long full life. The sorrow of his passing
will fade with time, and the joy of his poems and essays and his zest
for life remain an unending legacy to his children, his friends and a
memorial to the lively spirit of the man.

-- 

Regards from Iowa,

Dave Tygart & WT Morgan
"The mile is theirs by birthright" - Dick Riker