Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
here.” A century ago, about 20 percent of Palestinians were Christian. But many Arab
Christians fled the draft during World War I (since the ruling Ottomans were neither Arab
nor Christian, these Arab Christians saw no reason to fight in their army). And many more
have fled with the rising sectarian tensions of recent decades. Today, Christians make up
a tiny sliver of the population…and most of them live here in Bethlehem. With the rise of
Islamists across the region making parishioners nervous, the Church needs people to stay.
Christian leaders meet monthly with Muslim imams to discuss growing extremism in the
Muslim community and a growing uneasiness among Christians.
According to scripture, angels were heard on high at Beit Sahour—the Shepherds' Fields
just outside Bethlehem.
The village of Beit Sahour, just a 30-minute walk east of Bethlehem, is the site of the
famous Shepherds' Fields. In these fertile fields, the Bible tells of an angel who said to
ancient shepherds, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy
for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,
the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and
lying in a manger.” Today, pilgrims still come to these fields to hear the good news, then
spread it throughout the world. (Locals say that God knew what he was doing, because
