O HOLY Night
Shepherds Keeping Watch Over Their Flock by Night
Continuing with sharing information about each of the four areas that has produced the suggestion of offering to group members (and any and all who are interested) activities and services that FOCUS full attention on the birth of Jesus during the Fall.
The four areas:
1) The three feasts of the LORD that were held in September and October of the Hebrew calendar
2) The Time of Zachariah’s service in the temple, Elizabeth’s pregnancy and Mary’s pregnancy
This post touches on area 3
3) The shepherds abiding in the fields, watching over their flocks by night and appearance of an angel and heavenly hosts
4) The timing of the census that brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem.
As people ponder on the birth of Jesus what often comes into minds is the story of shepherds in the fields watching over their flocks. What evidence can be drawn from this? Were the flocks in the fields around the time of our modern-day Christmas, December 25?
Luke 2:8-9 KJV
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
According to various Bible commentators, it was customary for the Jews to send their sheep to pasture from the SPRING UNTIL EARLY OCTOBER. As the cold winter months began, the flocks would return from the fields for shelter and warmth. Since the shepherds were still tending their flocks in the fields around Bethlehem it can be concluded that the angel announced the news of the BIRTH OF JESUS NO LATER THAN OCTOBER.
Luke 2:10-14 KJV
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
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