I have a soft spot for donkeys.  I grew up on a farm in rural central Victoria surrounded by hobby farms.  Hobby farms are smallholdings and usually for recreational purposes with no expectation that the farm will bring in a primary source of income.  Owners of hobby farms like to have an animal or two to care for so my Dad and Uncle decided to take a trip out to South Australia and buy 40 donkeys to bring back and sell.  It was such a successful venture they did a return trip a year later. 

Some donkeys didn’t sell so my grandfather named them.  There was a donkey called ‘One Eye’ and it was obvious why he was never bought.  But I don’t know why ‘Picture Book’ never found a home if he was the perfect example of a donkey seen in a picture book!  Maybe my Pop was being facetious. 

I remember my Uncle standing at the top of the paddock and calling to the donkeys.  ‘Come on!  Come on!’  He was calling to them to come and eat.  The donkeys would make their way to him.  We kids would sit on the gate out of harm’s way.  We were warned of the dangers of standing behind a donkey.  One day, I climbed up on the gate wearing my yellow gumboots and a donkey mistook my gumboot for something tasty.  He took a bite and I had a donkey tooth imprint on the toe of my right gumboot!

The only donkeys I see now are those at the animal farm at the show.  We take the grandchildren to pat the animals and feed the sheep and goats.  I love to pat the donkeys and tell the children I used to have forty of them!

Today is World Donkey Day!  

And there should be a World Donkey Day.  They are amazing creatures known for their endurance and ability to survive and thrive in tough terrain and harsh climates.  They’ve been used as beasts of burden, as mounts, and to power things before there were steam engines or electricity.  Make sure you don’t mistreat a donkey.  They won’t forget it.  They can remember areas and recognise other donkeys for up to 25 years!     

In recognition of this auspicious day, and because I have so many childhood memories of donkeys, I decided to highlight a few Bible lessons that have donkeys in them.

That Was Unexpected:  Balaam and the Talking Donkey

 This lesson tells the story of Balaam who tried to curse the people God had blessed.  The lesson is told using a skit.  There’s a donkey paddle pop puppet to make and a game of Pin the Tail on the Donkey.     

You’ll find the lesson here:https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/That-Was-Unexpected.pdf

The Yokes on Me:  Come to Me

This lesson explains the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30 ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’  Use donkeys as a beast of burden rather than the oxen.  The Ministry to Children section tells how Jesus completely takes the burden of sin off children.  Play a game of Yoked Tag and decorate a pillowcase to rest on!

You’ll find the lesson here:https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/The-Yokes-on-Me.pdf

Palm Sunday:  Copy Cat Kids!

The four accounts in the Gospels are combined in this one lesson about Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.  There’s a great Peg Leg Donkey craft.

You’ll find the lesson here:https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copycat-Kids.pdf

Animal Crackers: A Christmas Play

Have some Christmas fun with a play set in the stable where baby Jesus is born. The donkey insists of being there because he carried Mary all the way to Bethlehem!

You’ll find the script here: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Animal-Crackers.pdf

So, enjoy World Donkey Day and maybe you can use it as an excuse for a Super Sunday in your Kid’s Church, or tuck a lesson away for this Christmas or next Easter.