My man told me that when he was a little boy, he read a book called 'The Hidden Years'. It was a story of Jesus' life as a boy. And, - do you know what? He had a dog!!! And, do you know what else? The dog was called Tobias. And that is the same as Toby. What an honour to have almost the exact same name as the dog that Jesus had.

(I know that it was a made-up story, but even so it is a nice idea.)

It helps to show that Jesus was very much the same as people like you and enjoyed the same sort of things that you do.

O course, he had birthdays. Mine was back in July and I know that My man's was three months before that.

So this month is when we remember Jesus' birthday. My man says that December 25th is probably not the exact date because they did not keep exact dates in those days but that shouldn't stop you enjoying His Birthday.

I am sure that you will be in Church on that day wherever you are: sadly I won't be able to be there but I shall celebrate it in my own way (a walk to shake down My man's Christmas dinner would be a start, followed by something very suitable for my Christmas dinner).

Wherever you are and whatever you are doing on the day remember that, whatever else, it is My man's Man's Son's birthday - not yours.

Three cheers for Tobias the dog, I say !!!

Toodle-oo (or should that be toddle off) .

Toby