The search for the
Christ Child
Christmas in the animal manger
The animals at Gut Aiderbichl are in a frenzy. Fridolin and Fred, the two squirrels, are sitting comfortably together and cracking a few nuts. "I'm still exhausted from last week. And that mishap with the bubble angel and the broken trombone is still in my bones." Fred, the black squirrel, only says "The bubble angel should be taken down from the Christmas tree and moved to the manger. That's what Mario wants." "Oh no, if the chubby angel then falls back into the snow, that would be a disaster". So the two squirrels discuss moving the bubble angel from the tree to the nativity scene.
Fresh straw is being spread in the manger itself. St. Joseph and Mary are already there, only the cradle is still empty. "Where is the Christ Child?" asks Dewey, the black sheep. "You don't know anything about it. He will be born tonight," explains Alice, the sheep.
The sheep are very nervous today. Inspector Gadet, one of the black-nosed sheep, has agreed that the sheep choir will sing Silent Night. They have been trying to rehearse the song for days, but the singing doesn't sound that good yet. Inspector Gadet does not give up, and diligently swings the baton. Now and then he flinches because the notes sound so wrong. The little ones, Peter, Larry, Ben and Sven, practise with great enthusiasm alone in their little group.
Santino in search for
the Christ Child
In the donkey house, Mario tries to teach Santino how to behave as a manger donkey. Santino has been chosen by the donkey commission to guard the Christ Child. "Santino, please. Listen to me carefully and don't fidget. We're going to practise once again how you bend down to the Christ Child and how you only make a very soft "Iah". Otherwise the Christ Child will be frightened!". Santino says "I was in the manger, but there is no child in the cradle. There are only the little sheep Sven and Larry and the others. Or are they lying down in the manger?". Mario gets worry lines and Marie, the donkey, tries to calm down. "I suggest you just practise looking at the Christ Child and then everything else when the time comes." Santino walked slowly to the manger. Mario put his front hooves in front of his eyes and said softly, "Well, what do you know?".
It's Christmas time
It is getting dark, slowly the many small lights on the trees go on, the red Christmas baubles glitter and peace returns. The animals gather around the manger. Everything is quiet. From the chapel in the forest you can hear the little sheep rehearsing the song "Silent Night". It still doesn't sound quite right. Santino and Ferdinand the ox are already standing by the cradle. Adi, Mali and Bibi, the dromedaries and the many sheep are ready to sing.
It still doesn't sound quite right. Santino and Ferdinand the ox are already standing by the cradle. Adi, Mali and Bibi, the dromedaries and the many sheep are ready to sing. "Where are the shepherds?" asks Mario, beside himself. Crown Prince Rudolf, Johnny and Tobi leisurely come out of the donkey stable dressed as shepherds. Tobi looks jealously at his friend the zebu, because she is standing next to Ferdinand the ox.
Inspector Gadet hums softly, the sea of lights becomes even bigger and even brighter. A golden ray shows the bubble angel. He has got a new trombone and quietly he sings the most beautiful song in the world with Inspector Gadet, the sheep and all the animals. Santino is very touched that he has finally found the Christ Child. It lies in front of him in the manger and he guards it with love.
The animal choir also sings a new song for all people on earth: "Merry Christmas" and everyone sings along, right or wrong.