Today is Dec. 10, Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent.
In the readings for today’s Mass we read, “Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care” (Is 40:11).
Bethlehem means “House of Bread” in the language of Canaan. This etymology is filled with significance when connected to the life of Jesus Christ, who calls Himself “the Bread of Life” and gives us Himself in the Eucharist. Thanks to Bethlehem’s water, no doubt wheat and barley have been grown in the place for centuries.
But the history of Bethlehem is also deeply intertwined with sheep and shepherds. Long before the angelic announcement to the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth, Bethlehem was shaped by those who tended flocks in its fields.
Bethlehem’s famous son, King David, began his life as a shepherd boy, tending his father’s sheep in the wilderness surrounding the city. It was there, in the solitude of the hills, that David learned to protect and guide — lessons that prepared him to lead God’s people as Israel’s greatest king. Yet David never forgot his humble beginnings as a shepherd, describing God in the Psalms as the Good Shepherd who cares for his flock with tenderness and strength (Ps 23).
Bethlehem’s proximity to the wilderness meant that shepherds often approached its gates to water their sheep. The city, situated near rugged terrain, served as a place of refuge and sustenance for flocks and shepherds alike. Its markets provided trade opportunities for wool, milk and livestock, connecting the rural life of the shepherds with the broader life of the community. An Arabic interpretation of the name Bethlehem — “Beit Lahm” or “House of Meat” — emphasizes the town’s connection to shepherds rather than wheat.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd
The prophetic words of Isaiah, “Like a shepherd he feeds his flock,” take on deeper meaning when we consider that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, was born in Bethlehem, this city of shepherds. He came to gather the lost, to carry the weak and to lead his people with care. The lambs brought to Bethlehem for trade and sacrifice foreshadowed Christ Himself, the Lamb of God, who would offer His life for the salvation of the world.
As we journey through Advent, Bethlehem invites us to reflect on how we are called to be both sheep and shepherds. Like sheep, we must trust in Christ, the Good Shepherd, who carries us in his arms and leads us with care. Yet we are also called to be shepherds in our own lives — to care for our families and friends, to lead others toward the living waters of grace, and to bring the fruits of our labor to contribute to the building up of the Church.
Let us pray,
O God, who have shown forth your salvation to all the ends of the earth, grant, we pray, that we may look forward in joy to the glorious Nativity of Christ. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
