Photo and Commentary ©2023 by Bev Riter
Sunday, December 24, 2023
Bev Riter has given us permission to reprint a daily photo parable which hearkens back several years to a trip she and her husband Ron took to the Holy Land. As we visit Bethlehem through her words and photos, we pray for peace on earth, and for the day when the King of kings returns and all wars shall cease.
The fields just outside Bethlehem are still known as the “shepherds’ fields,” and are the traditional site of where the shepherds were told about the birth of the Savior by the angels. Some of these fields are still used for grazing sheep and other animals. Shepherds used the nearby caves for shelter during the night and during stormy weather for both themselves and their animals. After walking along a tree-lined path, we came to a cave (seen in the photo above) that had been made into a place of worship. It included dioramas of the nativity scene, shepherds and of course, sheep.
A nearby dome with bells at the top featured several paintings including this first one of the angels appearing to the shepherds. “Now in this same district there were shepherds out in the fields, keeping watch through the night over their flock, when suddenly there stood before them an angel of the Lord, and the splendor of the Lord shone round them. They were terror-stricken, but the angel said, ‘Do not be afraid; I have good news for you: there is great joy coming to the whole people. Today in the city of David a deliverer has been born to you – the Messiah, the Lord. And this is your sign: you will find a baby lying wrapped in his swaddling clothes, in a manger.’” Luke 2:8-11 NEB This was good news. Long-awaited news!
The shepherds were still dwelling on what the angel said when many angels appeared, singing praises of God, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14 The shepherds immediately went straight to Bethlehem to find out the truth. They had memorized teachings about God and that He had promised a Savior who would come from the House of David, Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). But why would a Savior be born in a stable? Shouldn’t he be born in a palace like Herod’s palace?
After asking around in Bethlehem, they finally found Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus who was lying in a manger, as shown in my last photo. They recounted what the angels had told them and Mary treasured what they said. Then the shepherds returned to their fields and sheep, glorifying God and praising Him for what they had been told and saw. (Luke 2:15-20) Everything was just as the angel said it would be – Mary, Joseph and most important, the infant Jesus, the Messiah and Lord!