Yet more sheep today - but this time they had crossed into Beechwood and miraculously expanded their numbers! Not only that, but this time they were joined by a real live local shepherd dog who quietly crept into the display and lay among them - almost as if to keep order and prevent them from running astray.
Today's carol was: "While shepherds watch their flocks by night". King David, of course, had been a shepherd out in the fields near Bethlehem - possibly in these self-same fields - when he was first called to be King. But on the night of Jesus' birth, shepherds were told not to become kings, but to go and be the first to welcome the Christ-child.
So they went "with haste" to see what God was showing them, and were so amazed they couldn't help going around the town and telling everyone about the good news of the birth of Messiah.
There is a sense of that "bursting to tell out good news" that has driven us to create these lovely displays throughout Sanderstead this year. We are doing it to tell out the good news and to proclaim the real truth about Christmas.
"And glory shone around..." is an amazing statement - almost as if heaven had opened up to reveal the glory of God, and these shepherds were being given a small preview of the awe and majesty of God. What an amazing sight that must have been!
As we journey through Advent, this season of preparation and penitence, let us pray that God will reveal Himself in all His glory. Let God amaze you with His glory! And create time and space to allow yourself to pour out your treasures in response to His awe and majesty this Advent-time!
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