In 2010 my husband and I were very blessed to go on an educational trip with other pastors from The Salvation Army to Israel. As we prepare for our final Advent Sunday with the birth of Jesus, I have reflected on our time in Bethlehem during the last days of Advent.
Some places in Israel are the very locations where Jesus stood, walked and preached; the archaeological evidence is there. Some places are guesses, educated guesses none the less. Bethlehem is governed by Palestinians, it's gated and you are inspected and searched before you enter and when you exit through the massive concrete wall by armed guards. Israeli citizens are not permitted in. Being searched by an armed guard as I enter and exit a county is definitely not part of my normal day, nor part of the normal day during our trip as well. Our tour guide and bus driver had to be swapped out before we entered the town where our Savior was born.
One of the most impacting views is standing and looking out over the Shepherds' Field. Yes that field, where the shepherd's watched their flock by night. (Luke 2:8) This field was not a guess, not even an educated guess. It was The Field. The field where even today the shepherd's watch over their flock. They sleep in the caves that are naturally carved out in the rock. Breath-taking. To be staring out into the field where the star shown so brightly, a star marking the most eventful night in Christian history. We saw shepherds and sheep far off in the distance, and by letting ones' imagination wander with the reading of scripture, you could feel yourself in another time.
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After the Shepherds' Field we went to the Church of the Nativity marking the place of the birth of Jesus. It is a traditional site that is celebrated as the birth place of Jesus, where Mary and Joseph found shelter. There is no real evidence that this is the exact spot where Jesus was born; we do know for certain that He was born in the town of Bethlehem as stated in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. To be in a place where the Christmas Mass is broadcast each Christmas Eve is amazing; to be breathing the air where the greatest gift the world will ever know took His first breath is more than a blessing—it's a feeling so special that I wish all Christians were able to experience it.
