A Night in the Fields
The King is born! And who receives the birth announcement? Not the people you might think. Birth announcements are exciting. Parents share the news first with family, then with close friends, and later with the community. In the first century, however, it was unthinkable to send birth announcements to the poor and to those who held lower-class occupations, like shepherds, because such people wereGet More Articles—Subscribe Today!
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Were sheep really kept in the fields day and night ? Were they not put into a shelter during the night?
Mr. Levy,
I’m presently putting together a powerpoint for a test class. The instructors are testing my teaching ability so I decided on the topic of “can we determine When Jesus was born?” From the account in Luke about Zechariah seems to be the only way to actually pinpoint the date or to at least get close. Since he priestly order was Abijah and that was the 8th in line of service, it would make sense that if we can figure out which of the two times of year his order served then we might be able to have a better idea of when Christ was born. My guess would be that it can only be one of two times. Either early fall or early spring. Ive checked some commentaries and also some resources online and everyone seems to have their own spin. I think it might be helpful if some light was shone on the passage “…the Shepards were living in the fields watching their sheep at night…” Can you shed some light on that passage? Were the Shepards watching their sheep in the fields at night because it was lamb birthing season in Bethlehem or it is something they always did instead of bringing them back to the sheep pen after spending the day in the fields? I will be sharing my info in hopes of starting a conversation with unsuspecting teachers who think they are just there to see if I am able to teach. Thank you so much for your time.
Sincerely,
Michael Calderone
Listen to Rabi Jonathan Cahn on youtube. “Was Christ born on Christmas ”
Let me know what you think.
Very helpful article on the shepherds abiding in the fields at night.
Well written, Mr. Levy. You never fail to bring the scriptures to life.
THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL STORY OF CHRIST OUR LORD, AND THE STORY BRINGS JOY AND HAPPINESS WITH IT BEING RETOLD OVER AN OVER AGAIN. THIS BRINGS A PEACE OVER MY SOUL, AND RAISES MY SPIRIT, OF HOW HUMBLE THE BEGINNINGS OF OUR SAVIOR AND CHRIST OUR LORD. MAY GOD BLESS ALL MEN AND WOMEN OF THIS EARTH, AND BRING PEACE AND GOODWILL TO EVERYONE, AMEN.