This would be a great manger cat
There are a lot of nativity scenes in my area this time of year celebrating the birth of Jesus. However, none of them are completely accurate if this story is to be believed.
Today I'd like to tell the readers here at PoC the story of baby Jesus and the manger cat.
Shortly after the birth of the baby Jesus, his mother Mary was having a really hard time calming her child. She was weary after traveling and giving birth and asked God for his help. The stable was very cold and first Mary asked all of the stable animals to move in closer to help warm her baby. But the stable was small and this was impossible for the other animals to do.
Legend says a mother tabby cat with a new litter of kittens was in the stable at the time and she poked her little tabby head up for Mary to see. The cat then came over and climbed into Mary's lap. About this time the baby Jesus began to cry again and nothing would calm him. The cat jumped from Mary's lap and curled up next to the baby Jesus. Mary was unable to remove the cat from the manger. She didn't mind the cat sleeping in her lap, but laying on her child was different. The cat was content and the purring became louder and louder until all of the animals were synchronized to the calming sound. That night animals and people alike 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 its forehead and that is why all tabby cats have the 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.
I believe this story could very well be true. For one reason, there are usually rats and mice in barns and stables. An innkeeper would likely keep a cat for this reason. Even if the cat wasn't what you'd call a "pet" to the innkeeper, it served its purpose in keeping down the rodent population.
There's also the chance the innkeeper allowed a feral cat to stay as it would be difficult and time consuming to keep a cat run out of a stable. Better to leave well enough alone. Cats have always been drawn to barns for shelter. Whether 2000 years ago or today, a barn or stable would be seen as a place of safety and comfort to a cat.
So, I believe the story of baby Jesus and the manger cat. Although Finn recites a similar but different story.
There are several children's books on the subject and they can be purchased from Amazon.com.
Christmas in Heaven: ‘Written’ by a shelter cat with only hours left to live
Now for my discussion question. Do you believe nativity scenes set up this time of year should feature a sleeping tabby cat at the feet of baby Jesus? I have a fake cat that is identical to a real sleeping cat that would be perfect for this, so I know it wouldn't be hard to add a manger cat. What do you all think? I honestly think adding a cat would get a lot of response from both Christians and cat lovers. A manger scene with a cat would definitely be remembered as a highlight of the Christmas season.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Please note the cat used as my intro photo can be purchased at Amazon.com or other online stores.
Elisa
Sources:
http://cats.about.com/cs/tabbycats/a/tabby_cats_2.htm
From Baby Jesus And The Manger Cat to Feral Cats
Note: this article was first published at Christmas 2010. It is still current.
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This is a stupid, self-serving fantasy which has no basis in historical reality. Stop promoting Egyptian cat-worship in the Messiah’s name. It’s insulting to the intelligence of any rational monotheist.
I am not a Christian, in case you’re wondering.
It is a fantasy but some people like it and it makes a nice story for some people. Try and respect others. You’re a Muslim right? Well the Koran is full of crap as well.
Cats MASTER unconditional love. God IS unconditional love. Cats are closer to God than humans are. YES, add a Cat to the manger. The scene won’t be complete without atleast 1 Cat. #UniversalTRUTH
Thanks for contributing.
Watch this video from the reputable PBS “NOVA” series; http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/animal-mummies.html
It explains how and why all sorts of species of animals were mummified to act as prayer-note envelopes to send prayer pleas to the god or goddess of your choice. Species of animals from ibises, to crocodiles, to even full-grown bulls were mummified and their “spirit” was used to send a message to that animal’s kindred deity. The “soul” of the animal was supposed to carry your prayer-note directly to the lap of the deity represented by that species. It was big business for them, they sold mummified animals of any species to any visitor from any lands as a way of contacting their favorite deity. Like a fed-ex to send messages to your gods. Cats, of course, being the most prolific and easiest to breed for mummification were also the least effort and cost (compared to catching an ibis, crocodile, or the expensive and extensive effort to mummify a full-grown bull; for example). The only value cats had to them were when cats were dead and mummified for a pre-addressed message envelope to contact their Bastet. This is why they found over 300,000 young mummified cats buried there. Bastet was the bargain-basement of gods, her popularity created by being the cheapest to talk to this way.
Acting as protectors of grain-stores in The Fertile Crescent had nothing to do with why cats became popular back then. That explanation for cat popularity is nothing more than another false urban-legend today. Their popularity came from being the most inexpensive, easiest to breed for sacrificial purposes, and the easiest to mummify animal to be used as pre-addressed prayer envelopes. If a cat is to appear in any manger scene today it would have to be a young dead cat that was mummified with a birthday greeting embedded in the wraps of the dead cat.
Time to update all your stories with a little honesty and truth. Ever hear the phrase, “Thou shalt not lie.” Start doing so.
I have written about the Ancient Egyptian’s serial abuse of cats years ago:
http://cat-chitchat.pictures-of-cats.org/2012/04/ancient-egyptians-abused-cats.html
The article that you have commented on is all fantasy and meant to be so. It is fantasy, myth and legend so you don’t have to be so aggressive in your comment. I know you want to do your best to undermine the website. Fail I am afraid. Your next comment will be moderated.
My 2011 Holiday Card
That is a lovely story .I wish I could find a copy of that it actually gave me chills when I read it.Thank You
Pleased u enjoyed it.