We discovered it Christmas Eve. It was dark as the night, lying sphinxlike across the body of baby Jesus, jade-green eyes sparkling into our flashlight, studying us like we were the intruders. It shifted slightly and swished its tail like a furry wiper blade across the infant’s innocent face. Joseph, Mary, and the shepherds gazed down in adoration as the cat purred in a way we took to mean peace on earth.
Originally published in Paragraph Planet, December 24, 2025
Andy writes! 