Christ's Birth

Church of the Annunciation, Nazareth

The Christmas story began in this place. The angel Gabriel came to Mary when she resided in this home in Nazareth. (Luke 1:26-56)

The Church of the Annunciation is built around the home where Mary lived.

Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem

Mary is said to have given birth to Jesus [Yeshuah] at this place in Bethlehem. (Luke 2:1-7)

The Church of the Nativity is built around the former stable. Bethlehem is now inside the Palestinian controlled area.

Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem

After Jesus' birth, he was placed in a manger. This is the manger, preserved within the Church of the Nativity. (Luke 2:7)

We think of a manger being wood, but considering stables in Bethlehem were more like caves, the manger was stone.

Shepherd, Judean Hills

Shepherds were told of Christ's birth as they were out tending their sheep. (Luke 2:8-20)

As I passed this shepherd (while I was traveling in a tour bus) I could not help but think of the excited shepherds who suddenly received news of the Saviour's birth.

Judean Hills surrounding Jerusalem

The Judean Hills that surrounded Jerusalem and Bethlehem were not only parched places for the shepherds to feed their flocks, but also significant terrain for Mary, who was ready to give birth, to travel over... donkey or no donkey!

Nazareth

This is the present city of Nazareth, but 2000 years ago it was the town where Christ lived and grew up.

It seemed a rather insignificant place for the Messiah to come from, and Nathaniel's words came to mind as I saw this sight, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:45-46) But in fact, Christ came from here and was known as a Nazarene.