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From: geoff@ncr-sd.UUCP (Geoffrey Walton)
Newsgroups: net.jokes
Subject: Christmas joke; Let's put the Fred back in Fredmas
Message-ID: <356@ncr-sd.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 12-Dec-85 11:02:40 EST
Article-I.D.: ncr-sd.356
Posted: Thu Dec 12 11:02:40 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 13-Dec-85 08:37:23 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: NCR Corporation, San Diego
Lines: 47

*** MASSAGE THIS LINE WITH YOUR REPLACEMENT ***

	About two thousand years ago, at just this time of year,
these three guys were riding camels across the area now known as
the Middle East.  They didn't really know why they were doing
it, or where they were going, but they knew -- if they followed
this certain star -- they'd be in the right place at the right
time.

	One evening they spied a small town in the distance, and
decided they'd treat themselves to a night in an hotel; after
all, it was the holiday season.  So they rode into town and
checked all the major hotels and motels, but everywhere they got
the same answer:  "No reservations?  Sorry, were all full-up
through New Year's."  So, resigning themselves to another cold
night in the desert, they started out of town.  But on their way
they saw a small inn, and decided to give it one last try.  But
here too the answer was the same, and they prepared to leave.

	But the innkeeper was a kind man, and couldn't stand the
idea of sending them out into the cold night.  So he offered to
let them stay in his barn, on one condition:  they must be very
quiet because there was a young couple already sleeping there,
and the woman was pregnant.  He didn't want her disturbed for
any reason.
	The three agreed that the barn was better than a park or
a bus bench, and told the innkeeper they would accept his
condition and his hospitality, and led their camels around to
the barn.

	The first entered silently, and tied his camel in a
stall.  The second did the same.  But as the third was leading
his camel into the barn, he stepped on a rake.  The handle flew
up and hit him in the face, at which he yelled "JESUS CHRIST!"
as he winced in pain.

	Just then a sweet, soothing, almost angelic voice from
the darkness said, "My, what a beautiful name.  We were going to
call him Fred."

:r all usual disclaimers

Geoff Walton
NCR E&M San Diego
{wherever}!ucbvax!sdcsvax!ncr-sd!geoff
Even the smallest problem becomes unsolvable if enough meetings
are held to discuss it.