Bethlehem

Bethlehem is a Palestinian city located in the central West Bank. It is located 6 miles southwest of Jerusalem and is the birthplace of Jesus. Bethlehem means “house of bread`. It was in Bethlehem, young David`s hometown, that the prophet Samuel anointed him to be king of Israel.

Shepherds Field Church was built in 1950 by Antonio Barluzzi. The design represents a shepherd’s tent and the light penetrating the church through the glass openings of the dome. The walls are decorated with frescoes depicting the story of the shepherds and in the centre of the church is an altar supported by bronze statues of shepherds.

Luke 2:8-15 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!”

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”