Not Too Cold For Shepherds in December, 2018
Luke 2:8
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Myth: Too cold for shepherds to be in the fields.
This time of the year some will say that it is too cold for shepherds to be in the fields with their flocks. However this is actually a silly statement.
The historical climate for Jerusalem (5.5 miles from Bethlehem) shows that the December temperatures are very similar to Lake City, Florida.
This year is an example. Using the Weather Channel data and forecast for Jerusalem:
- December 24 50 F High, 42 F Low
- December 25 61 F High, 42 F Low
- December 26 60 F High, 44 F Low
Note that these temperatures are at an elevation of about 2,000 ft. It would be warmer in the valleys.
The Claim that it is too cold for shepherds at Christmas time is just plain false.
The truth is that the historical records show that the average lows in Jerusalem are almost identical to Lake City, Florida. I would invite any and all that believe that December in Jerusalem is "frigid" to visit the modern day Battle of Olustee, just outside Lake City, Florida in February. Here you will see re-enactors living for the weekend in much the same manner as shepherds would have in the time of Jesus. February in Lake City is colder than December in Jerusalem.
These statements about being too cold are made for the purpose of discrediting Christianity. Those who make them have spent less than five minutes researching the historical data! That is how long it takes to access the Weather Channel historical data for Jerusalem, Israel! So these false claims are not the result of an actual investigation or research!
No, the Bible does not tell us that Jesus was born on December 25. The Bible does not tell us what day Jesus was born.
But that does not justify deception: nor remaining silent when you hear deception. This talking head was spreading deception!
But the Bible does tell us in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 that as we approach the end of the age there will be a falling away. Falling away means --- departure from the truth. The Bible does tell us there will be deception, those who will try to mislead and discredit.
The Bible also tells us that many have ears but do not hear, have eyes and do not see.
Jude 1:18 KJV
How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
2 Pet 3:3 KJV
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
