Sunday, April 11, 2010

Bethlehem - The City Where Jesus Was Born

This is the story of the shepherds in Bethlehem at the announcement of the angels of Jesus' birth. The verses are as read from Luke 2:8-16. So that you understand, I will quote the verse and then in parenthesis, I will explain what the picture is.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (A shepherd's field in Bethlehem. This area is under lock and key by the YMCA.)

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. (Another view of the field that would have been used by the shepherds of that day - not particularly the ones used by those who saw Jesus, but very similiar)



And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (Look at how beautiful these fields are with all their greenery. No wonder, the shepherds used fields like these.)

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (This is the view of the city that the shepherds would have had when the angel came and made this announcement of the birth of Jesus.)
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God,
and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
(This is the rear entrance to a shepherds' cave, like the one used by Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem.)


And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
(Inside view of the shepherds' cave where Joseph and Mary would have stayed on that glorious night. This would not have been a very comfortable place to stay.)

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. (Hopefully, you could tell that this would be a manger. Jesus would have been laid in something similar to this when he was born on that Christmas night.)