Bethlehem

This morning we journeyed to Bethlehem. We celebrated Mass in one of the caves of the Shepherd's Fields, and spent time both outdoors and in the upper church of this beautiful place.

One of the murals in the church depicts the shepherds returning to the fields after meeting the Christ child. This scene is one I had not considered before; the shepherd's were different after the encounter. They had moved from being simple shepherds, to hearers of angel choirs proclaiming "peace on earth", then to being the first spreaders of the news of the Christmas message. Note the celebration in their procession home in this image.

The Church of the Nativity is the place where the birth of our saviour is commemorated. It is appropriate that the entrance door forces pilgrims into a low humble bow to enter the church.

and after the visit, in Manger Square

Then on to Ein Karim, the birthplace of John the Baptist, and the place of the visitation of the expectant Mary to her cousin Elizabeth who was also expecting.

Elizabeth greets Mary, in sculpture

at the entrance of the upper church of the Visitation

On the other side of the village of Ein Karim is the church marking the traditional birthplace of John the Baptist. Here the courtyard walls are covered with the Canticle of Zechariah (Benedictus).