Shepherd's Field in Bethlehem

CHRISTMAS

We arrived at the Shepherds Field very close to closing time. It was just before sundown and we practically ran up the sidewalk from the gate to the overlook.

Entrance to the Shepherd's Feild

It seemed like we were always, always late or rushing, rushing, rushing on this trip.

Archaeological dig ongoing in the Shepherd's Field

As I looked out over the "field", I was struck by how rocky it was. Not little rocks, but BIG rocky outcroppings and such. Hmm. Not what I had expected. I guess I was thinking more of an open meadow, but I suppose sheep had to get their grass where they could in this desert country. This is why it's so awesome to come to these sites, so you can see (or imagine) what it was like in Jesus' time.

So despite the catwalks, I could imagine sheep grazing there.

Some ruins of the Byzantine Church that once stood here

There was also an archeology dig going on in this place, they had found the remains of a Byzantine church. Ramsey, our guide, said that pilgrims had been coming to this site since the first century. There had been multiple churches built here and it seems the actual "spot" is in dispute as there are three different claims to being "the" place where the angel appeared to the shepherds.

This is the site is run by the Franciscan Missionaries, so it's the Catholic site. In the courtyard by the ruins of the Byzantine church is a lovely fountain. I can't find anything about it on the internet, and the inscription is not in English. But you can see that it is large and multi-layered with a shepherd at the top.

It was already beginning to get dark at this point. We walked past this fountain and down into the entrance of a cave.

Entrance to the Cave of the Shepherds

There was a super primitive looking angel on top, it looked like a stack of rocks.

And this very ornate symbol over the door.

When we entered the cave, it all sorta enveloped me. It FELT like the place Jesus was born.

It LOOKED like what I had imagined the manger would have looked like. After just coming from my confusing experience at the actual manger site at the Church of the Nativity, this cave felt like a huge relief.

Around the edges of the cave were some displays and ancient items. It was easy to imagine both the shepherds and Joseph & Mary planning to spend the night in such a cozy place.

Add caption

There were benches set up in the middle of the room and we all sat down as Fr. T. read to us the bible story of the shepherds here in this place.

Fr. T reads the story of the Angel appearance to the Shepherds.

 Lk 2: 8-14

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.  The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.  The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.   For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. "  And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those
on whom his favor rests.”

As we sat listening to those words, I felt such peace. Everyone was silent for a moment and then Fr. T. suggested we sing "Silent Night". We sang two verses and I just felt joyful and happy. This was the place one of the verses was written about, this exact spot.

"Silent Night.  Holy Night.
Shepherds quake, at the sight.
Glories stream from Heaven above.  
Heavenly Hosts sing Alleluia.  
Christ the Savior is born. 
Christ the Savior is born"

It was amazing. I tilted my head back and looked at the ceiling as we sang. All the campfires from so many people had blackened the cave roof. It was then I noticed that the lighting that they had recessed into the rock was each in a star-shaped indention. And for some reason, that made me even happier!

 We were able to stay a few more minutes and that was very nice. I was really enjoying being inside the cave.

Several little nooks had some artwork or artifacts in them, and this was a 3-D rendition of the shepherds & angels.

Too soon it was time for us to move on and another group to come in. As we left the cave, we spontaneously broke into "Angels We Have Heard on High" and the pilgrims coming in, who didn't speak English, joined into the chorus:

Their voices had heavy accents, I think they were from India, but their voices blended beautifully with ours and I got chill bumps as we passed each other on the walk and nodded in our joint happiness at sharing this wonderful place.

Turning left we climbed stairs up to the Church of the Angels. It was siloetted against the darkening sky on top the hill.

the Church of the Angels

Although the shepherds lived in the cave, this is where the Host of Angels appeared. (!!!!) We (or maybe it was just me?) continued to sing and I must say the accoustics in the little church were awesome and the chorus sounded just beautiful as it resonated off the walls inside there!

Dome inside the Church of the Angels

It was dark inside the little chapel that is built to resemble a nomadic tent. The dome is all little glass windows that is suppose to symbolize the light that shone down up on the shepherds. But it was dark when I was there. Here is the same picture using the flash on my camera:

There were some side altars around the walls which we could not see at all in the dark, but people were illuminating with the flashlight apps on their iphones! LOL! Such modern technology in such an ancient place!   : )

The little altars had beautiful paintings of the shepherds part in our salvation history!

On the walk back to the bus, it was pitch dark and I stopped to pick up rocks for my collection. I was feeling happy inside and thinking that (at the time of my visit) it was only 2 weeks until Advent started. I was thinking how easily I would be able to associate the bible stories I would hear in church with this place. And as I looked up at the dark sky full of stars I could picture the Angel Multitude there.

When I returned home, I made my mental picture into something I could meditate on.

Dearest Lord, I cannot wait to be counted among the Heavenly Host with you one day and I look forward to singing with the Angels and Saints around your throne in the greatest concert of them all!  Amen.

My photo/artist-rendering of Fr. N at the Church of the Angels

2012 Pilgrimage to Israel - Day 7