02-08-2008, 05:32 AM
II. The Winter Nativity
An ongoing objection to a December 25 nativity has been that this date fell in the winter. The objection is twofold, and related to "shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night." (Luke 2:8) First, it has been argued, the sheep were brought in from the wilderness and kept in corrals, or sheepfolds, during the winter, and not out grazing. Second, the only time that shepherds watched their flocks at night was during and after lambing, in the spring and early summer. Thus, Jesus could not have been born in the winter.1 Such arguments are far from conclusive against a winter nativity.
First, sheep would have been found in the fields. It could have been a mild winter. The average December temperatures at Jerusalem are 45-59o F., comparable to Houston or San Francisco, but with less rain. The night temperatures are lower. Rainfall averages 3-4 inches, comparable to Athens or Rome, with occasional light snow. By the end of December the first grass can be sprouting from early rains. Poor shepherds would have had their flocks out to glean the first fodder from the rains. Also, semi-nomads will often leave a belt of grass un-grazed around permanent winter settlements during summer to provide winter fodder.2 Jewish shepherds may have practiced such in earlier days. The sheep would not necessarily have been kept under cover. Un-corralled sheep would have to be watched at night, whether at lambing, or any other time of the year. Sheep were brought in from the wilderness during the winter, and these flocks could be found in the area of Bethlehem/Jerusalem. The presence of flocks around Bethlehem may indeed indicate that it was winter. The Mishna records that cattle, including sheep, were around Jerusalem, including Bethlehem, year-round [Revision: This passage does not specify any time of year but only the disposition of stray cattle/sheep found near Jerusalem.] .3 Many of these animals were required for the daily sacrifices at the Temple, and they were always available. There also would be a large daily requirement for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.4 The presence of sheep in the fields around Bethlehem in the early evening of December 25, 5 BCE would be expected.
There is often the belief that the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds at night. However, it is more likely that Luke mentioned this to explain why the shepherds were camped out, not when the angel announced, "Today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11) It appears that Jesus was born during the day, and the shepherds announced His birth that same day.
http://www.doig.net/NTC09.htm
An ongoing objection to a December 25 nativity has been that this date fell in the winter. The objection is twofold, and related to "shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night." (Luke 2:8) First, it has been argued, the sheep were brought in from the wilderness and kept in corrals, or sheepfolds, during the winter, and not out grazing. Second, the only time that shepherds watched their flocks at night was during and after lambing, in the spring and early summer. Thus, Jesus could not have been born in the winter.1 Such arguments are far from conclusive against a winter nativity.
First, sheep would have been found in the fields. It could have been a mild winter. The average December temperatures at Jerusalem are 45-59o F., comparable to Houston or San Francisco, but with less rain. The night temperatures are lower. Rainfall averages 3-4 inches, comparable to Athens or Rome, with occasional light snow. By the end of December the first grass can be sprouting from early rains. Poor shepherds would have had their flocks out to glean the first fodder from the rains. Also, semi-nomads will often leave a belt of grass un-grazed around permanent winter settlements during summer to provide winter fodder.2 Jewish shepherds may have practiced such in earlier days. The sheep would not necessarily have been kept under cover. Un-corralled sheep would have to be watched at night, whether at lambing, or any other time of the year. Sheep were brought in from the wilderness during the winter, and these flocks could be found in the area of Bethlehem/Jerusalem. The presence of flocks around Bethlehem may indeed indicate that it was winter. The Mishna records that cattle, including sheep, were around Jerusalem, including Bethlehem, year-round [Revision: This passage does not specify any time of year but only the disposition of stray cattle/sheep found near Jerusalem.] .3 Many of these animals were required for the daily sacrifices at the Temple, and they were always available. There also would be a large daily requirement for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.4 The presence of sheep in the fields around Bethlehem in the early evening of December 25, 5 BCE would be expected.
There is often the belief that the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds at night. However, it is more likely that Luke mentioned this to explain why the shepherds were camped out, not when the angel announced, "Today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11) It appears that Jesus was born during the day, and the shepherds announced His birth that same day.
http://www.doig.net/NTC09.htm