A six-foot by six-foot star is shinning on top of our eighty-foot silo. It shines from dusk to dawn, serving as a beacon to our farm on cold winter nights. It has been a favorite holiday decoration of mine for the past five years. My brother actually welded the large star for me after a few years of asking. Tim and the boys hoisted it to it’s year-round home. We have LED lights on it, so hopefully it won’t need replacing for a few years.
I usually turn it on Thanksgiving weekend. I tried to this year. After milking Thanksgiving evening, I went to plug it in and nothing happened. There is an issue with the electrical outlet on our silo and it took us a few days to figure out the issue. Thankfully, no one had to climb the silo in the bitter cold to check the extension cord connection; that was my fear. While my boys love climbing the towering silo in more pleasant weather, it isn’t a favorite pastime when it is 20F degrees and windy out. It is never a favorite pastime of mine, no matter the weather.
A few days into December, a neighbor texted us wondering when the star will be turned on. She loves seeing it from her front porch. Luckily for her, Tim solved the electrical outlet issue that day and the star shinned brightly that night. I am sure most of our town of Elko New Market can see the star since it sits at about 1,100 feet in elevation and the tallest hill in out county is 1,200 feet. Just today, I was in town and a friend mentioned she loved seeing the star as she drove home from work.
What is it about stars that is significant for us? They are guiding lights. Humans throughout history have used them to navigate vast oceans, to find their way home, and even locate Jesus in the manger. You don’t have to be a Christian believer to appreciate stars, nearly ever culture and religion has rituals, traditions, and stories involving stars and the heavens. There is safety and comfort when you can see the stars.
As we enter the darkest days of the year (in the Northern Hemisphere), the bright glow of stars in the sky become more vibrant. Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukah, the winter solstice, hygge, or just a break at the end of the year, lights of all kinds help make the cold, dark days a little more joyful. A porch light, a Hanukkiah, or a Christmas star on a silo can guide you to family and friends this season.
All of us at Zweber Farms, Jon, Lisa, Tim, Emily and the kids, pray that you are able to find comfort in the stars above us as we finish out the year.
Store updates:
We will be open Thursday, December 19th from 4-7pm. We will also be open Saturday, December 21 from 11am-2pm. Call or email us to make an appointment outside of those times.
We will be closed December 24, 25, and 28th for family celebrations.
