The stars are so bright in the cold almost Christmas night one needs little more light to see. As I walk along on the crunchy leaves I can smell the cold in the air. It is a bit damp and the air has a tiny sting to it…and off to my right I can see the mist rising off the pond.
It is not late as one might guess. Only about 7:00 PM ! Journey and I are on our way to bring the sheep in from the far pasture. Then across the dam and into the pen below our home. They are waiting and ready…so we take our time and proceed in the dark with the stars as our guide (much like the Shepherds of old) …I relish these moments…they are what I was born for!
The dog feels the evening too…as we walk along Journey starts to anticipate the work! Meanwhile the sheep are hanging out and ready for their supper of fresh hay. I open the gate give Journey a few instructions and quietly in keeping with the tone of the night he easily drives the sheep to their evening safe pasture
As I walk along behind the sheep and dog…I think of the shepherds some 2000 years ago that God chose to announce the birth of His only son ! How smelly my work is , and I can only imagine 100’s of sheep and doing all the work required to keep a flock healthy how they must have smelled! (not for polite company) 🙂 how the starry night must have held their gaze so much of the time…and to have a Host of Angels greet them and give the Good News to them first! WOW! What a surprise and blessing it must have been!
I too am most blessed and count my work as a simple country pleasure…and to be out on a walk with my flock and dog on an evening like this…breathtaking…and awesome!
God is so good!
