I found these old Christmas Legends a few years ago, on a web site which has since dissapeared. I think that I remember seeing them in a magazine when I was very small. I added the graphics to make this Christmas card, if it is hard to read, I apologize. I wanted it to be in a "pretty" font, and I put several choices in the code hoping a nice one will show up on your computer.
The Owl that hunts a shadowy prey
Click Here to go the the Legend of the Beasts.
Owls are closeups from wildlife photos.
Some Xmas decorations, and the background came from
This Site, Tiffany's Christmas Gifs, which seems to be a collection site.
The Noel cam from
The holly sprig came from a big collection site.
all pages
© 2006,
Merry Christmas!
The Legend of the Owl
Why the Owl Wakes by Night
Loved morning, once, and honest day
Like his sun-loving brotherhood,
Til three Wise Men riding through a wood
To bear the Word of Bethlehem,
Summoned each bird to follow them.
"You, feathery nations, quick, take wing.
Come greet Creation's newborn King."
From sleep, like arrows, all arose-
Doves, linnets, sparrows, cackling crows.
Faithfully through the holy dark
Flew wren and robin, flew meadowlark,
Chanting in wild ecstatic chorus, "A kingly Child is waiting for us."
Fled every fowl, forsaking rest. Only the owl on his warm nest,
Grudging to see finch pass and swallow, croaked, "Who is He that bids me follow?
Who? Who?" he muttered, loath to fly.
"Who? Who?" and shuttered his round eye,
Nor left his bough nor saw the glory.
And penitent now (so runs the story),
Nightly must mourn,"Who'll guide me to
The small Newborn? Who, who? Oh, who?"
Must for distress stay broad awake
And comfortless, that would not break
His comfort for Love's sake.
If anyone knows who to give credit to, please let me know.
pages by Leslie Prest