Shepherd's Field

Yesterday, we crossed security into the West Bank Palestinian Territory of Bethlehem (you need to go through a security check and show your passport every time you cross into and out of the West Bank *compared to Palestinians, we crossed security quickly and hassle-free). We went to numerous shrines and temples (the Church of Nativity, the Milk Grotto, Herodias), but without doubt, the hi-light of the day was a visit to Shepherd’s Field. Shepherd’s Field is supposedly the place were the shepherds were tending sheep the night Jesus was born. They were woken up in the middle of the night by an army of heavenly hosts who gloriously announced the birth of the Messiah.

We went to a small domed chapel there. Compared to the other gaudy, ornate, and crowded shrines and churches I’ve seen the last two weeks, this was a plain and simple church. Since there was no other group there, the 34 of us decided to sing “Angels we have heard on High!” It was amazing! The acoustics were amazing! I was absolutely surprised at the beauty, the harmony, and the quality of the voices that seemed to surround me. It was like the sound of angels.

And then it hit me! Was that not what happened almost 2,000 years ago? Perhaps at the exact same place! A multitude of angels had appeared before the shepherds to make the same beautiful declaration (a declaration we can live into today!)
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."