Shepherds Field

The area to the east of the city is traditionally believed to be the area of the fields of the shepherds “keeping watch over their flocks by night.”  Several churches have been built to commemorate this event.   Even today local shepherds can be seen tending their flocks in this same area.

Caves where shepherds “kept watch over their flock” still abound in the area east of Bethlehem. Here, the Gospel of Luke tells us, an angel announced the birth of Jesus.

The traditional place of the angel’s visit is the town of Beit Sahur. Originally known as the Village of the Shepherds, which is now an eastern suburb of Bethlehem.

Jewish literature ranked “shepherd” as among the most despised occupations of the time — but Jesus was to identify himself with this occupation when he called himself “the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11).