It has been said that the birth of Christ could not have occurred in midwinter because it would have been too cold for shepherds and sheep in the fields keeping watch by night (Luke 2:8) The common argument that the birth of Christ could not have occurred in midwinter due to cold conditions for shepherds and sheep has been questioned by modern observations and historical climate patterns. [[noauthor_2021-qg|NeverThirsy.org]]?') has found reports from the Weather Channel show that December weather in the Jerusalem region is mild enough for shepherds to tend to their flocks outdoors with appropriate clothing ([[noauthor_undated-rt|Weather Channel]]). Contemporary travelers, like W. Hendriksen, have noted the presence of sheep in the fields around Christmas, indicating that such a scenario is plausible ([[Hendriksen_undated-jn]]). Furthermore, sheep are resilient animals capable of surviving in snowy conditions by finding food beneath the snow. ![[Sheep In Winter.png]] Adam C. English further supports the feasibility of shepherds watching their flocks during this season by highlighting that November through February, encompassing late December, is the rainy season in Palestine. This period would have provided fresh green grass for grazing, a rarity in the typically dry region, making it the most likely time for shepherds to be out in the fields overnight. This contradicts the notion that the presence of shepherds and sheep in the fields during late December is historically or climatically implausible ([[English2016-zl]]).