Shepherds in the Fields

Where were the shepherds?
αγραυλουντες (agraulountes), the original Greek word translated “living out in the fields” (Luke 2:8), starts with the root word αγρος (agros), which refers to a field cultivated for agriculture. So the shepherds were living in crop fields.

Why is that significant?
Shepherds with flocks of sheep could not enter crop fields during the spring or summer, lest the sheep eat the crops, and the winters were too cold for sleeping overnight outside. The time of the year when shepherds and their sheep could enter and stay in these crop fields was the fall after the harvest, when farmers invited the shepherds into their fields with their flocks so that the sheep can “clean” their fields by eating the straw. This means Jesus was born in the fall, not in December.

What month in the fall?
Mary's pregnancy began during the “sixth month” (Luke 1:36) of Elizabeth's pregnancy, which commenced just after her husband Zacharias, who was of the “division of Abijah” (Luke 1:5) had performed his duties of “priesthood” in the “temple of the Lord” (Luke 1:5). The division of Abijah performed its priestly duties in the temple in the latter half of the fourth month in the Jewish calendar, which starts after Passover. Since Passover is in March/April of our Gregorian calendar, Elizabeth conceived in June/July, and Mary conceived in the sixth month from then - i.e., December/January. And since “the days were fulfilled for her to give birth” (Luke 2:6), Mary gave birth at full term, so Jesus was born about nine months thereafter in September/October.

Then why does the world celebrate Christmas on December 25th?
After the Roman Empire officially switched from paganism to Roman Catholicism in the 4th century AD, it re-branded a pagan holiday in late December as Jesus’ birthday.

Does paganism still affect how the world celebrates Jesus’ birth?
Christmas tree and its hanging ornaments, Santa Claus, mistletoe, and yule log are all pagan entities parading as Christian tradition, and the “mas” in “Christmas” refers not to the birth of Jesus but to “mass,” the Roman Catholic “tradition” and practice of drinking the physical human blood and eating the physical human flesh from Jesus’ dead body (see I am the bread of life).

What was the angel doing above?
Making an introduction of Jesus to the people on earth.

Why make this introduction to shepherds?
Jesus is the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29). Who is more qualified than shepherds to welcome a lamb into the world?

Does the angel introduce Jesus as the “Lamb of God”?
No, as “Savior,” “Christ,” and “Lord” (Luke 2:11).

What do they mean?
“Christ” means “the Anointed One” or “the Chosen One.” The penalty God mandated for sin is death (see Romans 6:23), and only Jesus was sinless and therefore could be “chosen” to pay the death penalty for others. Jesus is our “Savior” because He saved us from our sins and everlasting torment in hell. And Jesus is our “Lord,” who is someone to be obeyed unconditionally.

Do you unconditionally obey the One you call, “Lord”?