There are sheepfolds tended by shepherds even today outside the Eastern hills of Bethlehem where the shepherds tend their flocks and seek winter pasture. Winter does not mean that the activity of the local shepherds in the hills ceased.
Christ is the light of the world- of course he would come during the longest night, pagans or no pagans. Because pagans got it half right since God created the sun and timed the solstices and their dim pagan minds perceived that this was important, points TO Christ’s birth at the winter solstice. For biblical evidence - it would be the creation in Genesis itself on how God ordered the heavenly bodies’ movements and his Son reinforces God’s ordering of the light and darkness. Also see all verses that refer to Christ Himself as the sun, light of the world, etc.
Jehovah Witnesses first decided that there would be no sheperds in winter. This is false - Bethelehem is located just south of Jerusalem where there is an average relatively mild temperature of around 45 degrees Fahreneheit in December. The recent snowfall in Jerusalem was the first in 100 years.
See Gn 31:40 where Jacob is in northern Israel for 20 years tending the livestock in the frost. It does not make sense that the shepherds are for some reason not tending their winter flocks.
It snowed 4 years ago in Jerusalem...
See Gn 31:40 where Jacob is in northern Israel for 20 years tending the livestock in the frost. It does not make sense that the shepherds are for some reason not tending their winter flocks.
I didn't say they did, did I...
In the winter months the grass is more plentiful due to the rain...The weather is also worse...The flocks can then and are often brought in close to the villages where they can be more easily guarded and the depleted food is springing back up...