I don't know. What i read is that Zacharia's on call duty was that of Avia which was the 8th and thus in the month Tammuz. Also that there were sepherds in the countryside when Jesus was born and that sepherds are in the countrydide from March until October. Can you have a look on this information?
In fact from a religious perspective i don't care, it is irrelevant. But it seems interesting. So i am curious (as always)
He was of the priestly division of Abijah, if that helps.
Also we can't assume that the shepherds wouldn't be pasturing their sheep near Bethlehem in December. That depends on what the predominant weather patterns were at the time, which we don't know for sure.
Yeah Abijah and Avia i said is the same.
March till October is the standard, the assumption is based on that. Of course it is not 100% sure.
So i think it is explained well here
https://www.bibleversestudy.com/luke/luke2-shepherds-in-the-fields.htm
But i would like to hear anu other thoughts if any...
