Why the Tabby Cat Has an "M"

We took our pets to the vet. Both tabby cats (two were due) were in for exams and shots.

I have a faith story for you about cats.

I learned this from my Lutheran vet.

The day that Jesus was born in the manger, as Mary tended Jesus, there was a tabby cat in the shelter. Mary called upon the tabby cat to come and tend to Jesus, to keep small rodents and flies away from him, and to protect him from little critters. The tabby cat was very happy to have this little job to help tend to the baby Jesus. The tabby cat jumped and killed every bug which would come near to pester the little baby Jesus while he slept. He licked the little Jesus' arms and his forehead, letting him know he was favored by tabby cats. He nose touched his little cheek.

The baby Jesus slept soundly in the tabby cat's care. As days went on, Mary was very appreciative of the cat who showed favor to the baby Jesus. The cat showed profound care. Mary turned and blessed the cat. "I love you and wish I could give you just a little piece of myself." You have helped me so much to mother the arrival of my child. You have kept all the disease at bay by placing a hedge of protection around this cradle. She placed her hand on the cat's forehead. "I bless you in the name of my infant, Jesus."

The cat purred. When Mary lifted her hand from the cat's little forehead, and as he looked with wide eyes upon her and her baby, an M was left above his eyes. That M was a little bit of Mary left as a permanent mark on the tabby cat's forehead. This was her blessing upon the cat. The cat had a little bit of the motherly blessing to mark the cat's strong assistance to Mary to protect the Christ child.

The nice strong lines of an "M" on the Tabby should remind all of the motherly love and protection that cats have for the young, and in particular, of their contribution to the nativity story, and how one of them blessed the Christ child, and how when we act judiciously in our faith, how God blesses our genetic family line all the way down the descendancy. That is why our little Martius still, even all these years later, he still has an "M" on his forehead. That "M" stands for Mary's name, as it was she who solicited his help. Her thank you stands.

It pays to do kind things for the Christ child. We get a mark that is a sign of favor from our deed which endures forever. This story tells us why the Tabby cat has an "M" on their forehead. Yes, the vet told us this little story while he investigated Martius's teeth, and he pet his little forehead "M" in comfort as he opened his mouth from time to time. Martius has healthy teeth so far.

I have permission to tell his story. I told him I would give him credit, but he said, "No, that's okay." He said this is a fairly well known legend. I did not know it. Did you?

Update: I have been the storyteller here, for the story as it was told to me was a couple lines long. However, I loved the detail, and I decided to write this story. I will be putting this story out as a book soon.