The charming picture of Ellie and Ottie – this year’s calendar cover girls, lends itself so beautifully to Lucy’s Christmas piece, Dog at the Stable.

There was surely a dog at the stable
When the Christ child was born
He crept up close in the humble straw
to keep the baby warm
He put his head on the little one’s hand
to shield him from all harm
Mary smiled and thanked the dog
She asked him please to stay
The dog lay down beside the babe
to guard him night and day
He kept an eye on the shepherds
and was watchful of the Kings
He moved the ox and ass well back
And the Angels who came to sing
There was a love for them to share
A Radiance so Divine
That evermore we see this love
Between a dog and a little child