“And Shalt Call His Name Jesus”

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isa. 7:14)

“The angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to … Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel said unto her, … Thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest.” (Luke 1:26–28, 31–32)

“And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda: And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” (Luke 1:39–42)

“But thou, Bethlehem … though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.” (Micah 5:2)

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them … Fear not: … unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. … And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” (Luke 2:8–9, 11, 13–15)

Photos by Don Thorpe

Looking toward Nazareth

Juttah, probable birthplace of John the Baptist

Between Bethlehem and Jerusalem

The fields below Bethlehem