By Joyce Weaver

 As many of us are hurrying around trying to get ready for the busy Christmas holiday, which has morphed into a celebration of giving gifts, partying with friends and family, Santa Claus and his sleigh bringing gifts to the “good” children of the world, we often have forgotten what the original meaning of this word is – Christ mass – the remembrance of the birth of Christ. And “mass” being celebrated in a church by many faiths and religions across the world.

Sheep have played a significant role in the celebration of this event. I find it quite humbling and awesome that the announcement of the coming birth of the Christ child by the angel of God was made to a group of shepherds out in a field at night protecting their beloved sheep from predators and would-be thieves. Sheep were very valuable at the time (and still so), but required diligent watchfulness, kindness and care on the part of the shepherd. And it wasn’t just occasionally, it was continuously looking after the well-being of their charges.

I think these traits are why God selected this group of people to first make the announcement. Notably, He didn’t make this announcement to the privileged rich or rulers of the time, but to the everyday, working people of the time. Of course, the wisemen from the East had been studying the stars for years and also became aware of this coming event and traveled west to pay tribute. They were wise not to let the local ruling authorities know much about what they knew or someone would die as a threat to the throne.

Sheep have been referred to many times in the Bible. At that time there were a lot of sheep around and were used in their daily lives, so writers could get their ideas across using sheep as examples to human behavior. Sheep and goats were ideal animals to raise at the time. They could survive on sparse vegetation. Smaller animals were more easily cared for by women and children. Since they had no refrigeration, harvested animals could be consumed more quickly before the meat spoiled.

We have much to be thankful for in our human association with sheep and goats throughout our ancestry and history of mankind. In fact, the very survival of some people in our past depended on them raising sheep, goats and poultry. Sheep and goats provided not only meat, but milk, clothing to keep them warm, skins to make shelters, tools, etc.

Even today there are  parts of the world (Africa) where people still raise these animals pastorally and depend on them heavily for their very survival. We in this country (especially the Midwest) are blessed with fertile soils, normally abundant rainfall and conditions where we are able to grow huge field crops of corn, soybean, wheat, rice, vegetables, etc. We currently have the modern farming equipment to produce and harvest these crops with minimal human labor. With abundant acres in good pasture many farmers in this country can raise larger animals like cattle and do well with them, as a lot of Americans eat beef. But at this time of year, I think it is appropriate to remember the significant part the humble sheep have played in the survival and development of our species and traditions. If you raise sheep, remember to give them a special pat and “thank you for your service to humankind.”

Merry Christmas!

Joyce Weaver lambjoyw@gmail.com.