Bethlehem - Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting

Christ’s Birth in Pictures

December 14, 2023 by Ellen Leave a Comment

Enjoy this tour of Christ’s birth in pictures!

We gallivanted in Galilee, journeyed along the Jordan, navigated Nazareth and blew through Bethlehem. Each picture leads to Christ’s birth. Each place in Israel was a reminder that Jesus lives. He was born in this country and walked the streets here. Shepherd’s rejoiced in this field at the announcement of His birth!

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. Luke 1:26-27

View of Nazareth from Mount Precipice:

Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. Luke 2:4-5

View of Bethlehem:

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:8-10

View of Shepherd’s Field in Bethlehem:

For His glory,

Mary Christmas, Part 3: Mary, mother of Jesus

December 19, 2013 by Ellen Leave a Comment

Luke 2:8-19 (NASB)

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

It was such an ordinary birth, for such an extra-ordinary child…in a stable, no less! His first bed is a feeding trough! My son. My sweet little baby boy. His ten little toes and ten little fingers, and His perfect little mouth, take my breath away. He’s MY SON, and yet – the Son of God! This tiny baby boy that I gave birth to, is the Son of God. It’s a miracle! HE is a miracle.

I could hardly believe what the angel Gabriel told me: that I had found favor with God; that I would conceive and give birth to a son; that Joseph and I should name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins. My son, the Savior of the world! How could it be?

My beautiful baby boy! He is so perfect – His beautiful baby’s smile, His sweet, soft baby skin. When He gazes at me with His wide innocent eyes, my heart melts. He wraps His little fingers around mine and clings as if for life – they way the world will cling to Him one day.

My son…Immanuel…God with us!

Are you pondering the miracle of Jesus this Christmas?

Nativity carved with Mississippi red cedar by James Buie (http://www.jamesbuie.com/); Photography by John Chauvin Flash! Photography