Awaiting the Hour of Midnight on Christmas Eve

With the moon full and round in the sky on Christmas Eve, our sheep laid out under the night sky-awaiting the hour of midnight. For on this night, Christmas magic takes place and the sheep and llama come to life, talking in whispers in the field and barn. An old Scandinavian Christmas legend says that on midnight of Christmas Eve, animals in barns and stables across the world speak out in praise and wonder at the birth of the Christ child, for it was they who witnessed this miraculous birth.

Luke 2:2-7 

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. ² This was the first enrollment, when Quirin′i-us was governor of Syria. ³ And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. ⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. ⁷ And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

There in the dark and still of the night, the animals watched in wonder as the new babe entered the world. Legend says that God gave them voice to sing praises of the savior’s birth.

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

So each Christmas Eve, I join the little children around the world as we go out into our stables in hopes to hear choruses of exaltation coming from our animals.

Surely, our flock must have sung praises all night, remembering our savior’s birth, because today, they seemed especially lazy, lounging in the field all day. We went up to rouse them this afternoon, and have some Christmas fun. Some of the sheep were in the Christmas spirit…

…and other’s were skeptical of our escapades.

I hope this finds you all in good cheer this eve of Christmas Day! Merry Christmas to all!

Many thanks to Anna, our photographer!