Shepherd’s Field

Beyond the Arab village of Beit Sahur on the eastern edge of Bethlehem is the Field of Ruth, believed to be the setting for the biblical Book of Ruth. The name of the village in Hebrew is “House of the Shepherds,” and Christian tradition holds that this is Shepherd’s Field, where those tending their flocks were greeted by the angel who pronounced the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:9-11)- Take bus #47 (NISI) from the stop behind the police station in Manger Sq., get off at Beit Sahur, and walk 20 minutes to the site. Otherwise, you can walk the 4km from Bethlehem; follow the signs. (Open daily 8am-noon and 3-5pm.)

The Greek Patriarchate oversees the site where shepherds were told of Jesus’ birth. Located 1.5km east of Bethlehem off Al-Ruaa St., the site includes a 6th-cen-tury Byzantine basilica (tel. 74 31 35), monastery, the Holy Cave (350 AD) featuring mosaic crosses in the floor, as well as a small cave filled with human bones. (Open dairy 8am-12:3Opm and 2-5pm.) The Franciscans run a competing shepherd’s field 0.5km further down the road. Their site includes a small monastery (400 AD) and a number of ancient cooking pots and coins left by shepherds on the site. (Open daily 8-ll:30amand2-5pm.)