Shepherds Abiding

As we leave the City of David we head back to Bethlehem. Along the way, we pass the Har Homa Jewish settlement. It was built on what was formerly verdant forest land. This land, won by Israel in the 1967 War, is considered by many to be occupied territory. Israel claims it retains the right to build and expand settlements on this property.

To get back to Bethlehem we have to re-enter the West Bank. Up until my visit, I thought it was the Palestinians who prevented Israeli's from entering their area. Upon my visit, I learned that the check points are actually operated by the Israelis, and it is Israeli law that prevents Israelis from entering the West Bank, and also prevents the Palestinians from leaving. Unemployment is very high in the West Bank and they are prevented from leaving the area for work. It becomes a hotbed for dissent and hopelessness. What is the answer?

Graffiti covers much of the security wall.

In areas where there is no wall, electrified fences take its place.

We come to one of the three sites commonly designated as the field where the angels appeared to announce the birth of Jesus. "In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists. This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria. Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled. Since Joseph belonged to David's house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David's city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the guestroom.

Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. The Lord's angel stood before them, the Lord's glory shone around them, and they were terrified.

The angel said, 'Don't be afraid! Look! I bring joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David's city. He is Christ the Lord. This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the aqngel praising God. They said, 'Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.'

When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other 'Let's go right now to Bethlehem and see what's happened. Let's confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.' They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manager. When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told." Luke 2:1-20

As the souvenir shop reminds us, these shepherds fields were the same fields where Ruth gleaned in the fields owned by Boaz. Boaz fell in love with Ruth and took her to be his wife. Ruth gave birth to a child. 'They named him Obed; he was the father of Jesse, the father of David." Ruth 4:17. Ruth, the Moabite woman, was an ancestor of the Messiah.

On the site of the Shepherd's Field is a beautiful Roman Catholic church with amazing acoustics.

The walls were covered with beautiful paintings.

This afternoon we will go to the Church of the Nativity. Micah 5:2 had predicted that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. "As for you, Bethlehem of Ephrathah, though you are the least significant of Judah's forces, one who is to be a ruler in Israel on my behalf will come out from you. His origin is from remote times, from ancient days."