For some Christmas itself is a legend (or even a myth). The Stables At Midnight: A Christmas.

One of the stranger myths of this holiday is that at the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve animals of all sorts are endowed with the power of human speech.

“Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock. According to tradition animals may augur good luck or bad at Christmas time. Amazon.com: Christmas Miracle eBook: HL.

So fair a fancy few would weave In these years!

On Christmas Eve even animals behave oddly, cattle, donkeys, and oxen are said to fall on their knees and moan at midnight. On Christmas Eve, a young farm servant hides in the stables hoping to witness the animals’ speech, and indeed hears a horse say: “We shall have hard work to do this day week.”

What they have to say is largely based on variations of the legend and, of course, the animal itself. "Now they are all on their knees," An elder said as we sat in a flock By the embers in hearthside ease. Suddenly, God gave voice to the animals … And Thomas Hardy takes a similarly positive and sentimental view of the kneeling-animals meme ("The Oxen", 1915): Christmas Eve , and twelve of the clock. And, it was mighty dark back there, too. faithfully seen that the animals were secured and provided for each night but especially on Christmas Eve.. there after the service kneeling. My marriage had ended, and I was leasing a farm as a boarding stable.

A little Christmas(y) tale from Thomas Hardy, which incorporates the old folk tradition that, as Hardy's mother told him as a child, cattle (whose ancestors witnessed the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem) kneel to commemorate the event every Christmas Eve at midnight: 'Once there was an old aged man over at Mellstock-William Dewy by name-one… We pictured the meek mild creatures where They dwelt in their strawy pen; Nor did it occur to one of us there To doubt they were kneeling then. Not …

Now according to legend, at least, Christ's birth occurred at exactly midnight. So, on Christmas Eve, I would close my eyes and imagine how it must be, the animals kneeling on the cold, cold ground in the quiet of the dark night worshiping the Baby Jesus. the Christmas Eve Stable Books/Poetry. The animals kneeling on Christmas Eve was seen to be almost like a small miracle.

They play an important part in many ancient customs, and it is a widespread belief that the descendants of those who were present at the Nativity still show their deference on Christmas night.