T’was Christmas Eve down on the farm and the barnyard was all a bustle. 

The animals were preparing for Christmas with a happy, helpful hustle.

The barn was trimmed with tinsel and holly,

and the mood that day was joyful and jolly! 

But not all the animals were content that day

to join the festivities, to sing and to play. 

Some were brought low with their cares and their woes

and were finding it hard to be cheerful. 

Mother Hen was a loving mother with chicks full in her nest.

Each day she’d sing and try her best, but felt she didn’t compare to the rest.

Each day the chicks grew older and ready to explore the farm,

but Mother Hen would hover to keep her chicks from harm.  

She worried for her chicks, who could get lost along their way. 

Her cares had overshadowed the happiness of that day.

“What burdens you?”

asked the Farmer, who could tell something was wrong. 

“What’s keeping you from singing your very special song?”

“Oh Farmer,” replied the Hen, “I know I should sing each day,

but I’m worried for my chicks, who may someday go astray. 

How can I teach them to love and be good

and to always do the things that they should?”

The Farmer replied with a voice sweet and strong,

the answer Mother Hen really needed all along,

“You are special”, she heard Him say.

“You are special in your own way.

You may be different, be Big, Loud, Shy or Small.

But what makes you special, Please share with one and all.”

So, Mother Hen made a promise that day,

to never worry what the other hens say.

She’d sing out her song and teach her chicks the best that she knew how.

She’d put her trust in the Farmer's love and always be joyful now.

Pops was a weathered sheep dog who worked from dawn to dusk,

carefully guiding the flock who relied on him with trust. 

Some days they chose to wander far from the safety of the herd.

 It caused poor Pops to wonder if they even heard a word. 

He’d chase them round the garden, he’d chase them round the pond.

He never ever got a rest; that poor, old, tired hound. 

“How can I help them listen, and follow what I say? 

I only want their safety, I can’t let them go astray.”

Worn out from cares and worries he began to hang his head,

when from the field the Farmer came who looked at him and said,

“You are special”, he heard Him say

“You are special, in your own way

You may be different, be Big, Loud, Shy or Small

But what makes you special, please share with one and all.”

So, the once discouraged sheepdog began to work again,

he knew his job was special and with love he’d bring them in. 

Emma was a fun-loving filly, who loved to run and play. 

She hated when it came the time to work the day away.

She much preferred to help a friend or brighten someone’s day

with her happy, shining smile that seemed to never go away. 

She’d imagine she was running through a meadow full of bloom,

or prancing in the starlight of the bright and shining moon.   

She saw the world so clearly through her wise and wondering eyes.

“How did this beauty come to be?” she thought while gazing at the skies.

So lost in thought she didn’t see the other horses leaving,

“Oh where’d they go, not this again, why can’t I just stop dreaming?” 

Feeling lost, and a little scared, she started on her way,

when from the woods the Farmer came in search of her that day. 

“Oh little filly, where are your friends, why are you here alone? It’s not safe for you to wander far from the shelter of your home.”

“I’m sorry to say that I lost my way, I should have stayed close by. 

Instead, I was dreaming of far off places”, and she soon began to cry. 

The Farmer smiled a knowing smile and with kindness led her home,

and all the while He sang this song in hopes she’d never roam. 

“You are special” she heard Him say.

“You are special in your own way.

You may be different, Be Big, Loud, Shy or Small

But what makes you different, please share with one and all”.

While on their way back to the farm she couldn’t help but notice,

all the joy she brought to others’ lives and how much she’d been missed. 

So, she will share her love with others and help to guide their way. 

Her dreams were meant to be a gift and never will she stray.

Vivi the Kitty (a pretty, pink, princess) loved to create, draw, dance and sing.

She was a sweet little feline who loved to help others,

oh, the smiles she could bring.

Often she'd be curled up under a tree or ready to jump, pounce and spring.

But with all of her talent and love to share, she wanted to be perfect at everything. 

She worried about this, and she worried about that,

she worried much more than she should for a cat.

When the Farmer arrived with her milk pan in tow,

He questioned her why she was feeling so low. 

“I wanted to make a gift for this day,

but what if it’s not perfect in every way? 

What if the kittens all snicker and jest,

if my gift for Thee is not the very best?"

The Farmer just listened then spoke with great care,

He wanted to teach her and make her aware.

“Sweet Vivi, oh please don’t be sad or start crying, just remember, mistakes are the proof that you’re trying.”