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MYTH: Too cold for shepherds to Tend Flocks in December
https://jesus-reasonforseason.com ^ | Unknown | Unknown

Posted on 12/24/2021 9:09:06 PM PST by Beowulf9

Whenever discussions are started about the December 25 date used to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus, this subject typically comes up. Some will say, "It is too cold in December for the shepherds to be tending their flocks!" Some make this claim their continuing effort to discredit and mock anything associated with Christ and Christmas. Some actually believe that it must be true because December is winter and they have not looked into the subject.

(Excerpt) Read more at jesus-reasonforseason.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Education; History
KEYWORDS: christmas; jesus; shepherds
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Temp in Bethlehem today was 48 degrees.
1 posted on 12/24/2021 9:09:06 PM PST by Beowulf9
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To: Beowulf9

And what was the low in the mountains?


2 posted on 12/24/2021 9:13:42 PM PST by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
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To: Beowulf9

My understanding, he was born in the beginning of the fall


3 posted on 12/24/2021 9:14:55 PM PST by roving
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To: Beowulf9

Shepherds tend their flock no matter the temperature and no matter the weather. That’s why shepherd’s huts used to dot the landscape in areas where sheep were herded. Sheep have heavy wool to protect them from the weather, but the shepherd usually bedded down in a small cabin. Those huts were either built on the edge of each grazing field, or they were on wheels and moved from field to field. The hut not only kept the shepherd out of the elements but it is also where medicine for the animals was stored. A sick or injured animal would often sleep in the hut with the shepherd.

So, that is not even a real argument.


4 posted on 12/24/2021 9:19:56 PM PST by CFW
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To: Beowulf9

A friend of mine leads pilgrimages to Bethlehem at Christmastime. He says there are always shepherds and their sheep in the fields at that time. That’s why they have thick wool. And there’s lots of caves around to shelter the sheep in too, if need be.


5 posted on 12/24/2021 9:19:57 PM PST by fidelis (Ecce Crucem Domini! Fugite partes adversae! Vicit Leo de tribu Juda, Radix David! Alleluia! )
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To: Beowulf9

A committed skeptic can always scrounge up one excuse or another. Often, they fight hardest just before finally surrendering.


6 posted on 12/24/2021 9:32:31 PM PST by Hebrews 11:6 (Watch "THE CHOSEN," about Jesus & the disciples He chose: https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen)
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To: CFW

Agreed. Shepherds are out in all kinds of weather. Beyond that, it was when the world climate was in the Roman Warm Period, even warmer than it is now with “Global Warming.”


7 posted on 12/24/2021 9:43:34 PM PST by Cincinnatus.45-70 (What do DemocRats enjoy more than a truckload of dead babies? Unloading them with a pitchfork!)
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To: CFW

Yeh. Like you would never get the job unless you did it 24/7/365.


8 posted on 12/24/2021 9:43:57 PM PST by Retain Mike ( Sat Cong)
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To: Cincinnatus.45-70

Yep.

Most likely they would have had shelter due to rainy season rather than to low temps.

These days, temps can get down to 30s in rural hills. Not comfy with rain.


9 posted on 12/24/2021 9:49:14 PM PST by jjotto (Blessed are You LORD, who crushes enemies and subdues the wicked.)
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To: Hebrews 11:6

The Bible does not reveal the date or month of Christ birth.
Nothing wrong with remembering Christ on any day, but telling people that he was born on December 25th is a lie.


10 posted on 12/24/2021 10:12:08 PM PST by 98charlie
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To: Beowulf9

yeah, because as everyone knows, all outdoor works stops when the temp drops below 80f- (Bzzzt- today- 12 degrees- carpenters were outside building several buildings in town- road crews were out working, loggers out working, farmer out working- on and on it goes- work doesn’t cease because it gets cold out!)


11 posted on 12/24/2021 10:12:21 PM PST by Bob434
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To: Bob434

I mean, sheeps gotta go to the bathroom…and without shepherds to watch out for them wolves like to drop by.


12 posted on 12/24/2021 10:15:22 PM PST by Beowulf9
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To: Beowulf9

So the sheep are supposed to fend for themselves ???


13 posted on 12/24/2021 10:41:07 PM PST by Tennessee Nana
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To: Nifster

Don’t know about the shepherds in the field but to send the population on the road in winter time so they can pay their tax seems don’t seem right.


14 posted on 12/24/2021 10:42:31 PM PST by the_daug ( )
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To: Tennessee Nana

The article is pointing out it is a myth.


15 posted on 12/24/2021 10:42:52 PM PST by Beowulf9
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To: Beowulf9

I know but people do put forward that same myth as though it were a real consideration ...


16 posted on 12/24/2021 10:44:17 PM PST by Tennessee Nana
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To: 98charlie

And that...is an absolute.


17 posted on 12/24/2021 10:58:19 PM PST by crz
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To: Beowulf9

It was during the Roman Warm Period back. Warmer than the medieval period and both were warmer than todays temps.

Nice try but BS.


18 posted on 12/24/2021 11:29:01 PM PST by Seruzawa ("The Political left is the Garden of Eden of incompetence" - Marx the Smarter (Groucho))
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To: Seruzawa

What are you talking about ? If it was warmer then the shepherds definitely would be out in the fields. That’s the whole point. That the shepherds were out in the fields.


19 posted on 12/24/2021 11:33:15 PM PST by Beowulf9
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To: crz

Nothing wrong with an absolute if it is true. Does the Bible reavel the date or month of Christ birth? If the answer is no then telling people that he was born on December 25th is a lie. Lying is a sin and telling people a lie about God’s word can do a lot of damage.

If one wants to remember Christ or his birth on December 25th that is fine it is always good to remember Christ but there is no good to come from telling a lie.


20 posted on 12/24/2021 11:40:05 PM PST by 98charlie
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