A Stable Mass

Tonight after dark there was a service in a pavilion outside a country church.  It was a celebration of the Feast of Saint Nicholas, something I never learned about while growing up.  Bringing pets to make for a more "authentic" stable experience is encouraged.  Usually there is a goat or sheep, sometimes a calf, to add farmy sounds in the background.  Fresh hay bales have a sweet scent.

Someone rode in on a lovely black horse with sleigh bells around its neck.  When it whinnied or tossed its head, the bells would sound.  Two people had well-behaved dogs on leashes.  A teenager attended with her miniature pig in tow.  It looked a lot like a dog with its black hide and short brown legs.  The tail was straight.  It kept wagging its tail back and forth like dog tails do.  In agitation?  Who knows.  Whenever people approached, the pig would sniff their hands, but when they tried to pet it, the pig backed away.

It was such a c-c-c-cold night (in the 30's) with a very strong wind that most of the attendees were shivering to stay warm.  Snowflakes sifted in under the roof and we could almost see our breaths.  I had again forgotten to wear insulated layers.

Someone held the pig in his arms while the girl  attempted to wrap her pet in a soft fleece throw.  It squealed and snorted.  All I could think was, "Now I've seen it, a real 'pig-in-a-blanket."  (Isn't that some sort of food?)

Good thing it's just once a year.  Now I'm sipping hot tea in an attempt to thaw out.