A small brown bird was perched on a beam in a stable in Bethlehem watching the people from many lands who had come with gifts for the newborn Child.  The little bird could see the great adoration of the people as they knelt before the Babe, and was able to sense that something wonderful had happened.

After a time, the visitors departed and the Holy Family settled down to rest; and the little bird prepared to sleep, too.  But just as he was dozing off, he noticed that the fire, built to keep the Child warm, was dying out.  Quickly he flew down and began fanning the coals with his wings.  The fire became brighter until the feathers on the little bird's breast radiated the glow and showed a beautiful red.

Although he grew very tired, the small bird stayed by the fire all night, fanning it to keep the blaze bright and the Christ Child warm.

Since that night the robin's breast has remained a glowing red, a mark of the unselfish love and devotion shown by that bird in Bethlehem.