Christmas Eve

I just back from the barn – the wind is blowing from the west and it’s 15 degrees going down to near zero tonite. I step into the barn and the radio is playing Silent Night. The heat lamps are the only lights on and it’s quiet except for Silent Night.

How can it be so peaceful inside the barn when the wind is howling outside?

I go into the goat pen and they’re all comfy under heat lamps and under tables.

Oh, how I love those goats. Emma is so special she gets to sleep with the chickens in the warmest part of the barn.

And then there’s Mama Kitty – in her bed right under the lamp.

Reed, Darla and Danielle are here, too.

The music changes to Away In The Manger. This time spent in the barn on Christmas Eve is sacred to me as I recall the baby born in a barn with the animals all around.

A Blessed Christmas to you all!

87 thoughts on “Christmas Eve”

  5. Carolyn Boutilier

    Merry Christmas to you Mary & family. Keep the pictures of your animals and beautiful quilts coming. i really enjoy each and every picture. from the cold Shenandoah Valley VA.
    Carolyn B

  6. Mary Dyer

    Such a lovely, Christmas Eve story. It filled my heart with joy in these troubled times. Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas!

  10. mary m rhodes

    What wonderful pictures of the animals! Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

  11. Charlotte Barnard

    A blessed Christmas to you and Rick and all those you hold dear! And thank you for this wonderful post. 💕💕🙏🎄

  12. Meta O’Connell

    Merry Christmas Mary to you & your family. Enjoy your stories of all your animals, Quilts & friends. 🌲🌲🌲🌲

  13. Beryl

    Merry Christmas!! What a peaceful site and the music…brings tears to my eyes!
    I got to visit your Hayward quilt shop Saturday!! WOW what a place, wish I lived closer!! I think I was there a few years ago but don’t remember it was as large as it is now. So much to see and dream about all of the things to make. No wonder you like it so much.
    It is cold in Owatonna tonight too and in MT where I am from. It will be really cold when I leave Saturday but should warm some as I head west. I am praying it doesn’t snow and or blow much once I get back into MT…doesn’t look like much snow for SD.
    Merry Christmas and a very Blessed New Year. Thanks for all of your posts and encouragement with all of your projects, you must never sleep!

  14. Susan J

    Merry Christmas to you and your family-your description of the barn, music and animals was just terrific. Sleep well tonight!

  15. mary jane

    I would like to thank you Mary for all the wonderful e mails, pictures and etc. that you share with all of us year round. To me tonight was rather spiritual and calming. We here in the Hudson Wi area are also having cold temps and some wind, happy to be indoors where my sewing machine sits and waits for my attention. Have a Happy and Healthy New Year, 2018, to all…

  16. Janice

    What a beautiful post. I love the peacefulness conveyed to us through your wonderful pictures and thoughts. Thank you, Mary, and Merry Christmas to you and all of your family. To your readers as well. So nice to be part of this community. Jan

  17. Rhoda Ebersole

    Thank you Mary for a very appropriate Christmas message. Merry Christmas and Blessings for 2018.

    Hugs across this country to you,
    Rhida E

  18. Delores

    Thank you for painting these wonderful scenes with your words and your pictures. Truly a “gift” for us on this special night as we celebrate the birth of Christ. A very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year for you and Rick.

  19. Becky from Texas

    Yes, Mary, reading your post and made me think of our Christ Clid that was born on Christmas Day. So peaceful and serene!!! Merry Christmas to you and Rick! Wishing you both a very blessed 2018,

  20. Jean Elliott

    Beautiful post…love how the animals are so cozy in the barn…and playing the music. Wow. I wish you the best Christmas every and a very Happy New Year!

  21. Jane dumler

    Merry Christmas. A very blessed night in the barn with all the animals cozy and warm. You are such a wonderful animal mother and they look so well cared for. Enjoy your messages and wishing all who,read the posts a very blessed holiday.

  22. Carol T

    🎄Thank you, Mary, for such a lovely, provocative post. Merry Christmas to you and yours and may 2018 bring you only good health, peace and happiness 🎄

  23. Carol

    It’s just after midnight here, I had a houseful all evening, loud and crazy family….I’m just unwinding and I read your beautiful post….it is the perfect set of photos and words to help me regroup and enjoy the beauty of Gods gifts. Thank you.

  24. Bonnie McKee

    Merry Christmas Mary!
    Thank you for sharing the pictures of your warm cozy barn with animals and birds cozy and safe inside. And thank you for reminding us of the stable the Christ Child was born in so many years ago.
    May He bless us all in 2018!

  25. Donna McCormack

    Brings back memories of when I was a little farm girl. I still remember those feelings of peace and reverence. May your Christmas be blesses. I’m having Christmas with my family in Wyoming on the ranch. New little foal here that we are all gaga about plus the usual kitties, horses and cows. My son in law feeds th birds and herd of deer each morn. Very cold here.

  30. Rose Mikulski

    What a wonderful post to read on this cold Christmas Eve night, it is full of love and warmth. We’re staying at my son’s house so we can spend Christmas Day with our granddaughter and it is cold here too. It’s a good thing we plan on staying home and don’t have to travel anywhere. Nothing beats being in a warm home with family and friends on Christmas Day. Merry Christmas to Rick and you and hugs to the four legged babies who you take care of so well.

  31. Donna Sproston

    What a heartwarming post to read just before turning off the light on another family Christmas eve and getting a good night’s sleep before the patter of feet running down the stairs awakens us in the morning.

  32. Carrolyn Vidal

    What a beautiful, humble heartfelt post on this Christmas Eve! I am not an animal, nor music fan but I could feel your love throughout the post.! Thank you for a true moment of peace during this horrible political climate at this time in our country!

  33. Marilyn holder

    Mary, thank you so much for the wonderful,beautiful Christmas present of your barn friends…it’s like you are tucking them in bed and with lovely music.

  34. Patty McDonald

    Oh Mary, you are so special. Your barn is peaceful. I felt like I could hear the music. Lovely. You are special for many reasons but, to notice the peace and coziness in the barn, to play Christmas music, on a very busy, cold evening, takes a special person. I know of many that throw hay and hope all is okay with the critters. You have such a loving heart. God bless you and your family.

  36. Angie Rowland

    Your story brought tears to my eyes. How Blessed we are even when things seem so out of wack. Blessed Holiday to you and yours and all the other readers here.

  38. Kathy

    Thank you Mary for the true meaning of Christmas and the gifts our hearts bring to those we know need comfort. The warmth you give them and to us in your blog continue to bless us all.
    Happy holidays and looking to all your adventures into the new year. Xxooo

  39. Kate Schloemer

    Dear Mary, it’s a fast moving world and many forget the true meaning of why we celebrate Christmas. A barn with animals and a baby born so that we may be forgiven our sins. Merry Christmas to all.

  43. Mary Barden

    Thank you so much for such a beautiful post. I could truly feel peace through your wonderful pictures. I could feel as if I was there, what it must have been like when the Savior of the world was born. What a fantastic way to start my Christmas morning. This is what the Christmas season is truly about–finding peace and joy. Thank you again for sharing your life with us. Your posts bring such joy to so many. Merry Christmas!

  46. maxine lesline

    The barn on Christmas Eve.. always a good place to be..to show in very welcome pics.. Thanks…

  47. ANITA Fetzer

    So peaceful. What a special place you have to visit especially on Christmas Eve. Gods continued blessings to you and yours. Anita fetzer

  48. Kris in Naperville

    Such a lovely post….eyes have welled up …. Merry Christmas Mary…thanks for sharing your life with us…it’s a gift every time I see your message in my inbox. Peace…

  52. Synthia Noble

    Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story……a Christmas blessing…..you have filled my life with joy, my soul with sunshine and my heart with love. Synthia

  54. Jeanice Domino

    Thank you for sharing your Christmas Eve with your wonderful animals enjoying a warm, peaceful shelter. I do so look forward to your posts all year long. Thank you.

  57. Launa P

    Thank you for the cozy pictures of your barn full of loveable pets. Here in Idaho we have a white Christmas ongoing. It was 7 degrees this morning which is better than the minuses of past mornings.
    Stay warm, Mary!

  58. Linda Foresta

    Mary, thank you for this beautiful post. It was truly heart warming and quieting. You can feel the presence of baby Jesus. You are a beautiful person. Thank you for continuing your blog.

  59. Diane

    Beautiful. Brought tears to my eyes. The three “baby” kitties are as big as Mama Cat. Blessings to you and your family of humans and animals. You bring joy to so many.

  61. Cathy Platzer

    Loved the sight and could imagine the music, and then I could remember the smells from past camps. I really enjoyed spending time in your barn. Thank you for sharing your Christmas Eve.

  62. Linda Baker

    Felt I was right in that barn with you and the animals. Merry Christmas to everyone on your farm, and thank you so much for sharing your life with us.

  64. Kathy Hanson

    What a beautiful scene!! Your animals are so blessed as are you to have them and all your wonderful family and friends this wonderful season. Merry and Blessed Christmas to you and your family. I look forward to hearing from you, I consider you a friend! May your days be Merry and Bright in the love of the infant savior!

  65. Martha Engstler

    Dear Mary, So many have said my feelings so well. I’ll second what they all say, especially Kathy just above me. We are blessed to be able to call you friend and enjoy your posts. Blessings for Christmas and the New Year to you and your family and friends.

  66. Vickie Devore

    Thank you so much for your “barn trip.” Aren’t reminders like this sooo beautiful? I sure think so too. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and hopes for a safe and happy new year. vickie

  68. Angie

    Mary, thanks so much for sharing those beautiful moments with us. Your words made it possible for us to feel the peace that you were experiencing. Somehow, I think that was a special “gift/blessing ” just for you as it unfolded and I was so thankful to be able to read about this as I was ending my day.

    God Bless and Merry Christmas!

  69. Diane Deibler

    Brings back Christmas memories growing up on the farm. I remember one Christmas when I was probably 9 or 10 when I wanted to go to the barn at midnight as I believed the animals could speak on Christmas Eve. Well, that didn’t work out, but I still wonder….

  71. Marilyn

    Mary you have given us a wonderful share…peace on earth at your home…a very special blessing

  79. Helen Jane

    Mary-Thank you so much for your “barn animals” post. Best wishes in the coming year. Thanks again for your sharing on the blog and all you bring to us (your readers). Until next time here in Texas.

  80. terry

    What a beautiful and heartwarming post. Made me feel all warm and cozy. Mary, thank you for sharing your life on the farm – so peaceful in this chaotic world. Feel like I know all of your animal family. Have a wonderful New Year and stay warm over there on the farm. Terry from sunny California

  82. Lisa Zook

    This message was beautiful. I could just picture that long ago night when Jesus was born. Thanks for sharing.

  83. Jeanie

    This was a lovely post, Mary. Your animals are so lucky to have you providing them such a warm home. Thanks for including us.

  84. Felicia Hamlin

    Merry Christmas Mary, to you and the rest of your readers. I finally had time to read your post about your visit to the barn. It was cold last night and today, if the animals could talk they would be thanking you for those warming lights. Those kitties have grown so much. God bless you!

  85. Wendy

    Just reading this now but thank you for sharing your sacred Christmas tradition with us. The warmth and love just radiate from the pictures of the barn and animals. So peaceful, so heavenly. Very blessed and content. Happy New Year to all!

  86. Connie

    What a beautiful post. A Belated Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year to you all.

  87. lisa kogan

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you Mary and Connie! Love the barn-time photos! Winter is harsh sometimes in the country but it’s also beautiful and full of opportunity to slow down, appreciate the reflective time and exhale with nature. I’m loving my time at home, my snow globe in the country!

    Love ya,

    Lisa Kogan

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