difficulties surrounding Jesus' birth?

Question

One of the biggest difficulties surrounding the Biblical account of Jesus' Birth, in Luke, is how the weather was at the time. In Luke, it was said that shepherds were out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks. Some people suggest that it would have been too cold to be out in the fields, but we are talking about the Middle East. My landlord is Muslim, from Bahrain, and she said that the weather there isn't cold at this time of year. So perhaps Jesus WAS born in December. Does it make you wonder? Does anyone have any counter-theories?

I know that in Luke, that the Shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks "by night". Still, she said it wouldn't have been freezing weather.

Answer 1

2000 years ago, in the winter in the middle east, it got cold enough to freeze water, form ice and occasionally snow. This has been put forward as a reason why Jesus could have been seen walking on water, as he may have really been walking on a layer of ice. But even so, shepherds would not necessarily been out amongst the sheep in winter.

But the primary time shepherds are always amongst their flocks, is when they are lambing. Hence the shepherd often being shown with a new born lamb over their shoulders at the manger. Sheep normally give birth in early spring, unless they have been artificially forced to give birth at other times (as we make them do today).

Answer 2

What does weather have to do with it? No matter what the weather is, children are born, people still work, life goes on. Do you think that if it's cold out, the shepherds say, "It's too cold out, so let's not tend the flocks today."
? It may be cold in some parts of the world, and warm in others, too.

Answer 3

Right now in Israel the forecast is.....

Israel Meteorological Service

Weather Information for Jerusalem

Tourism Information:

Weather Forecast

Issued at 09:17 (Local time) 06 Dec 2006 Date Temperature oC Weather
Minimum Maximum
06 Dec
( Wed ) 9 15 LIGHT RAIN

07 Dec
( Thu ) 7 14 PARTLY CLOUDY

08 Dec
( Fri ) 8 16 FAIR

http://www.worldweather.org/013/c00043.htm

You tell me if Yahshua was born outside in a field at this time. This is a bold face lie!

Isa 8:20 To thee law and to the prophecy: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

The Encyclopedia Britannica, Volume II (1943-1973), under Christmas, says:

"In the Roman world, the Saturnalia was a time of merrymaking and exchanging of gifts. December 25th was also regarded as the birth date of the Iranian Mystery god, Mithra, the Sun of Righteousness.
On the Roman New Year houses were decorated with greenery and lights and gifts were given to children.
To these observances were added the German and Celtic Yule rites...Food and good fellowship, the Yule log and Yule cakes, greenery and fir trees, gifts and greetings all commemorated different aspects of this festive season. Fires and lights, symbols of warmth and lasting life have always been associated with the winter festival, both pagan and Christian."

Answer 4

The best way we have of determining the time of Jesus' birth is to start with Zacharias. See Luke Chapter 1. Zacharias was of the order of Abia (Abijah). Assuming John (the Baptist) was born 9 months later, and knowing that Jesus was 6 months younger than John, We can determine that Jesus was born at the end of September or early in October.

Answer 5

Jesus probably wasn't born in December. The catholic church chose that date to coincide with a pagan festival they were trying to get people to stop going to.
It didn't really work. Folks just began to mix traditions of the pagan festival in with their Christmas celebrations.
The reason Joseph had to take Mary to Bethlehem was because the Roman govt.,who controlled their country, ordered a census for taxation purposes.
Every citizen had to appear in person at the tax office in the town of their family's origin.
The Romans were cruel, but they were not stupid. A mass movement of people would not have been scheduled for winter.
The churches had debated when to celebrate Jesus birthday for years. The Roman church made an official date.
Many of the independent churches of the time (many) disagreed, and celebrated it how and when they wanted.

Answer 6

It does get cold over there but not as cold as it gets here, Jesus was Born somewhere between the last of September to the 1st week of October.

Answer 7

I have heard that scholars have guessed the birth of Jesus to be closer to march because of the Jewish festivals and the time of the year that the Romans would do a census and tax collecting.

Answer 8

I think Jesus was born before July and August were added to the calendar [to honor Julius and Augustus Caesar]. So, He may have been born earlier in the year, like Oct. December 25th is just the day we celebrate it. [notice Sept, Oct, Nov and Dec are the prefixes for 7,8,9, and 10]

Answer 9

God sacrificed his in simple terms begotten son for our sins. This I do have self assurance. The jews from that element on did not do anymore sacrificial lambs. because of the suitable sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Answer 10

very interesting comments as from those I have talked to while they were there it was extremely cold. however when one goes to a different part of the country let alone the world one is not used to then one has a different perspective of the temperature comfort level. thanks