“Shepherds watching their “flocks” at night some how equates to lambing season....”
That’s what it looks like to me too. (I used to raise sheep)
“which would be in spring. “
Not in the Bethlehem area. Lambing occurs naturally when the grass is new. That occurs after the rainy season starts (November near Bethlehem). Lambing would then occur from December to January. It would definately NOT occur between March and October.
December 25 turns out to be very plausible.
Nights in that region this time of year are typically in the mid to lower 30s. This year the temps for Christmas week are predicted to be in the low 30s. Sheep out eating grass being watched by Shepards? I think not. Even here in SC the grass is all dead this time of year. There ain’t no “new grass” in that region this time of year.
I celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25 because my calendar has a red number on that date!