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Bethlehem: the guided tour as text
The 3D lab's guided tour as a story you can read, stop by stop, with the scripture behind each one. It works on any device, without 3D.
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Coming to Bethlehem
Stop 1 of 13
Bethlehem from above
This is Bethlehem on its ridge, seen from above the southern terraces.
But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, 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; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Read Micah 5:2; Ruth 1:19
Stop 2 of 13
Journey
Mary and Joseph walk the road from Jerusalem toward the village as the sun goes down.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
Read Luke 2:1–5
Stop 3 of 13
Village
Here is the village by day, with the Herodium on the south-eastern horizon.
And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Beth-lehem, which is by the gate!
Read 2 Samuel 23:13–17
The birth
Stop 4 of 13
Family house
The roof is lifted away so you can see in. The guest room is full, so the baby lies in a manger by the animals' end of the room.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Read Luke 2:6–7; Luke 22:11
Stop 5 of 13
Cave
The oldest tradition puts the birth in a cave behind the house, with a manger cut in the rock.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Read Luke 2:7; Isaiah 1:3
The shepherds' fields
Stop 6 of 13
The watch
Shepherds keep watch over their flock by the fire, the fold behind them.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Read Luke 2:8
Stop 7 of 13
The angel
An angel of the Lord stands by them, and the glory of the Lord shines around them.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Read Luke 2:9–12
Stop 8 of 13
The heavenly host
Suddenly a multitude of the heavenly host fills the sky, praising God.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Read Luke 2:13–14
Stop 9 of 13
To Bethlehem
The shepherds hurry up the path to the village to find the baby in the manger.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
Read Luke 2:15–20
The Temple
Stop 10 of 13
Temple
In the Court of Women, Mary and Joseph present Jesus and offer two young birds, and old Simeon takes him in his arms.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
Read Luke 2:22–24; Luke 2:25–32; Luke 2:36–38
The magi
Stop 11 of 13
In Herod's Jerusalem
This is Herod's Jerusalem, where the magi ask, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?”
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Read Matthew 2:1–8
Stop 12 of 13
At the house
The magi come into the house and see the child with Mary, his mother, and bring their gifts.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Read Matthew 2:9–12
Into Egypt
Stop 13 of 13
Egypt
By night the family slips away down the road south-west toward Egypt, leaving the village behind.
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Read Matthew 2:13–15; Matthew 2:16–18; Matthew 2:19–23
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