Beit Shahur - House of the Rising Sun

No, nothing to do with the popular 70's song! It refers to those who greet the rising sun as part of their work - Shepherds. Part of today was spent in the Shepherds' Fields, where tradition has it the angels announced the birth of the Saviour.

Inside the chapel at Shepherds' Field

The Chapel - Elias our Christian Palestinian Guide behind the altar

https://youtu.be/aQ9ZDmfwBc4

There are many limestone caves in the area - used by shepherds to guard their flocks at night. Tradition has it that the shepherds were at the mouth of one of these caves when the angels appeared to announce the birth of Jesus.

The Shepherds' Field Chapel

From there we went to the centre of Bethlehem, to Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity.

The Church of the Nativity - and the remains of the Christmas Tree structure!

The star marks the spot

Above the spot where Jesus was born

Where the cradle was placed

Above the entrance to the Nativity Cave

The Church of the Nativity is built over the cave of the Nativity. This church is controlled by the Greek Orthodox Church. Next to it is a Catholic Church and is built over the rest of the cave where Jesus was born. St Jerome, whose life work was translating the Bible into Latin - the Vulgate, lived in the cave under this Church and was buried there. His remains were removed, but the chapel still remains.

The Tomb of St Jerome

Near St Jerome's Tomb

Manger Square - looking toward the mosque