(Luke 2: 8) They were keeping watch over their flock during the darkness. This date (still recognized in England's legal system) is September 29 - a date when it is reasonable that Jewish shepherds would be in the fields with their flocks. They were 'abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night'. It may be significant that the ancient church in Britain observed a date called Michaelmas (i.e., "Michael sent"), known as the feast of Michael and the angels. The angel Gabriel, who stands "in the presence of God" ( Luke 1:19) was sent to bear individual messages to Zacharias and Mary ( Luke 1:11,26-27), but Michael is the one seen commanding the angelic host ( Revelation 12:7). The angel leading the host was likely Michael the archangel (note Jude 9). Shepherds were almost certainly not abiding in the fields watching over their flocks in late December the sheep would have been gathered into the sheep folds long before that.Īnother clue is the recorded presence of "the angel of the Lord" (v.9) to announce the birth of the Savior, along with a "multitude of the heavenly host" (v.13). The date in late December which was eventually adopted coincided with the various pagan festivals held in connection with the winter solstice.Ī significant clue is found in our text. In fact, the church did not observe it at all for the first two centuries. Passion Play: Shepherds Watching Their Flocks by Night: This scene represents the plains near the city and opens with the shepherds guarding their flocks. The date of Christ's birth, as observed in the western world, is December 25, although other dates have been observed at various times and places - in January, March, May, etc. Prints of While watching their flocks at night, three shepherds are visited by an angel who tells them of the birth of.
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night" ( Luke 2:8).
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