"Angels We Have Heard . . ."

Singing joy and praise for the gift of the Savior in the Shepherds' Church at Bethlehem:

"'This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'" (Luke 2:12-14)

The birth of Jesus

Top photo: Veneration of the birthplace of Jesus Christ
Bottom photo: The Rev. Kurt von Roeschlaub reads the story of the Nativity:

"So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."
(Luke 2:16-20)

Bethlehem

Photo 1: in the Church of the Nativity
















Photo 2:
at Manger Square













“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2)

A vision of the future

A group of Israeli and Palestinian children on a field trip in one another's company.

Beit She'an

A visit to the ancient city of Beit She'an:

Photo 1: a Byzantine cross in the ruins of Beit She'an
Photos 2-3: Our group listens to the guide's descriptions of the city
Photo 4: The Romans were here!

Learn more about Beit She'an @ http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/Beitshean.html

At the River Jordan

Bishop Provenzano leads a renewal of baptismal promises at the banks of the Jordan River:

Question Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces
of wickedness that rebel against God?
Answer I renounce them.

Question Do you renounce the evil powers of this world
which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
Answer I renounce them.

Question Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you
from the love of God?
Answer I renounce them.

Question Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your
Savior?
Answer I do.

Question Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?
Answer I do.

(Book of Common Prayer, Holy Baptism)

Mosaic floor

At the site of Jesus' casting of demons into swine, a mosaic floor of an ancient monastery.

Bottom photo, left to right: Guide, Mrs. Jeanne Provenzano, The Rev. Dr. Jeff Hamblin, The Rev. Dr. Raewynne Whiteley

In the region of the Gerasenes

Mrs. Jeanne Provenzano reads from the Gospel of Matthew:

Jesus Restores Two Demon-Possessed Men

²⁸ When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. ²⁹ “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”

³⁰ Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. ³¹ The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”

³² He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. ³³ Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. ³⁴ Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.

Top photo, left to right: Kurt von Roeschlaub, Enid Nessmith, Bernice Coleman