The Angels of Christ's Birth

There's an old Chinese proverb:

"A man with a clock knows what time it is. A man with two clocks never knows what time it is."

And so it is sometimes with Bible translations. Different translators, commentators and scholars may render a passage into different forms. Sometimes this may be frustrating and other times it is confusing. But, if we approach this prayerfully, it might be a nice chance to hear something again, for the first time.

Please enjoy these translations as you also view these photos and accompanying descriptions from Hanan Isachar's "Images of the Holy Land". God bless you and all praise to the Most High God during this beloved Christmas season.

"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, good will toward men."
- King James Version

Bethlehem. A person of average height has to stoop to enter the Church of the Nativity from the paved courtyard that is part of the Byzantine atrium. This entrance, called the “door of humility”, was lowered around the year 1500 to prevent the Moslems riding their horses into the church.

Two other entrances at either side of the present door were also blocked up. The Basilica of the Nativity was built in 326 a.d. by the Emperor Constantine the Great and his mother, St. Helena, over the cave where Jesus was born according to tradition. The Basilica, which was burnt in a Samaritan revolt in the 6th century, was repaired and extended by the Emperor Justinian, who had his architect put to death because he didn’t like his work. Since then it has remained almost intact, enabling us to study the local versions of early Christian Basilica architecture.

Isachar, Hanan: Images of the Holy Land. Oak Harbor : Logos Research Systems, 1997

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
- New International Version

At Christmas flowers decorate the Star of Bethlehem in the Grotto of the Church of the Nativity, on the spot marking the birth of Jesus.

The typically eastern oil lamps over it are polished and candles are lit in honor of the festival. The star of Bethlehem appeared to the Magi, wise men of the east, and led them to Bethlehem where they found Jesus, as told in Matthew 2. On the silver star is inscribed the Latin sentence: Hic de Virgine Maria Jesus Christus natus est—Here to the Virgin Mary Jesus Christ was born.

Isachar, Hanan: Images of the Holy Land. Oak Harbor : Logos Research Systems, 1997

"Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
- New Living Translation

Bethlehem. Only the Greek Orthodox priests are allowed to enter the sacristy where they prepare for the Christmas service. The church and all it contains are shared by Greek Orthodox, Armenians and Catholics—represented by Franciscans.

Isachar, Hanan: Images of the Holy Land. Oak Harbor : Logos Research Systems, 1997

“Give glory to God in heaven,
and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God.”
- New Century Version

From the belltower of the Church of the Nativity the Judean hills look pale in the strong summer sunlight. Bethlehem, a city 860 meters above sea level, about 7 kilometers south of Jerusalem, is first mentioned in the 14th century b.c., in the Tel el-Amarna letters, as Bit-ilu-Lakhama, the House of Bread.

In the Old Testament it is referred to by various names: Ephrat, Bethlehem Ephratah and Bethlehem Judah. It was part of the tribal allotment of Judah, and the family of Boaz, who was an ancestor of King David, lived here.

1000 years later Jesus was born in this city, and it became sacred to Christians. “The holiest city in the world”, writes St. Jerome. Today it is an Arab town populated mostly by Christians, who earn their livelihood from the pilgrim trade.

Isachar, Hanan: Images of the Holy Land. Oak Harbor : Logos Research Systems, 1997

"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, good pleasure in men."
- The Darby Bible

Bethlehem. The statue of St. Jerome looking up heavenward in awe, with a skull at his feet representing the scholar, the sage and perhaps also his asceticism. He stands on a pedestal in front of the Church of St. Catherine in the Crusader cloister that was reconstructed in the late 40s.

The Franciscan church, on the northern side of the Church of the Nativity, was built in 1882 over the remains of a 12th century Crusader church. In the church grotto is the cell of St. Jerome, where he lived for 35 years from 385 to 420 a.d. and translated the Old and New Testament into Latin, the famous Vulgate translation.

Isachar, Hanan: Images of the Holy Land. Oak Harbor : Logos Research Systems, 1997

"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased."
- American Standard Version

Children carrying crosses and icons head the Christmas procession in Bethlehem’s Manger Square. The crossed stripes on their backs symbolize the crossed arms of angels. And they do look like little angels escorting the Messiah on his way.

Isachar, Hanan: Images of the Holy Land. Oak Harbor : Logos Research Systems, 1997

"Glory in the highest to God,
and upon earth peace, among men—good will."
- Young's literal translation

Bethlehem, December 24, the Christmas procession in Manger Square, which is all dressed up for the occasion, on the day when the eyes of believers all over the world are on it.

Bethlehem, an Arab city about 7 kilometers south of Jerusalem, 770 meters above sea level, at the edge of the Judean Desert beside the Way of the Patriarchs. King David was born here, and here he was anointed King of Israel by Samuel the prophet. A thousand years later Jesus was born in this city, which St. Jerome, who chose to live and die here, described as “the holiest city in the world”.

Isachar, Hanan: Images of the Holy Land. Oak Harbor : Logos Research Systems, 1997

“Give glory to God in heaven,
and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God.”
- New Century Version

Bethlehem. The bright cross shaped Church of the Nativity dominates Manger Square, the site of the birth of Jesus Christ. “The most sacred place on earth”, as St. Jerome wrote. On the right stands the Church of St. Catherine with its red-tiled roof.

Isachar, Hanan: Images of the Holy Land. Oak Harbor : Logos Research Systems, 1997

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
- New American Standard Bible

May He be pleased with you this Christmas season.