Luke 2:13-14

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” On this third Sunday of Advent, follow Kathleen as she explores the Shepherd’s Field in Migdal Eder. In the Advent narrative, the shepherds are some of the first people to hear the good news of Christ’s birth. A whole host of angels come and proclaim the news to the shepherds as they watched over their flocks at night. This place in Midgal Eder is traditionally believed to be where the shepherds were located on that night. This field is significant for also being the place where Jacob camped after the death of Rachel, and where Boaz, the ancestor of Jesus, kept his own fields. The history surrounding this place is one of peace and restoring wholeness. Jacob came to this field to seek peace after the death of his wife, and Boaz brought peace – or wholeness – to Ruth and Naomi in this field. We know why this field is the place where Christ’s birth is proclaimed, but why to shepherds? Shepherds may have been the first people who could grasp the significance of Jesus’ arrival. Spotless lambs from their herds were traditionally put in a manger, to keep the set apart for sacrifice. The sight of Jesus in a manger would have highlighted his sacrificial mission on earth to the shepherds, more than it would to others. 💟 Help us to keep developing the Magdala Project. Your donation is essential to us🫶 https://bit.ly/magdala-donate ℹ️ Discover more about Magdala 👉 https://bit.ly/magdala-en-yt Support us by purchasing our products: 🌍 Israel shop (worldwide shipping): https://bit.ly/magdalashop-en-yt 🇲🇽 Mexico Shop (shipping only in Mexico): https://bit.ly/magdalashop-en-yt 📢 Subscribe to our Newsletter 👉 https://bit.ly/magdala-newsletter 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Be part of the Magdala Family: intercessor, ambassador, volunteer... 🫶 https://bit.ly/magdalafamilymosaic 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/experiencemagdala/ 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magdalenglish © Copyright of New Gate to Peace Foundation 2023

Joshua 8:30-31 30 Then Joshua built on Mount Ebal an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, 31 as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses—an altar of uncut stones, on which no iron tool had been used. On it they offered to the Lord burnt offerings and sacrificed fellowship offerings.

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On this second Sunday of Advent, we explore the birthplace of John the Baptist in Ein Karem, just outside of Jerusalem. Join Kathleen as she goes into the Church of John the Baptist that now sits at the site as she discusses this place of peace and reflection. This is where scholars believe Elizabeth and Zachariah went to ponder God’s miraculous gift oaf a child in their old age. It was in this place near a vineyard that Elizabeth and Zachariah sat and sought out God’s peace and serenity. Shalom, which means peace, can also refer to a sense of order. When one’s relationships are is disorder, it’s difficult to live in shalom. Zachariah experienced this disorderliness when he didn’t trust the angel’s miraculous message, and he needed a place of reflection and quiet to put the inner pieces of his life in order. Life’s complexity can often cause us to live in a disordered way, but God can reorder our lives as we draw near to him. One way to do this is to read Zachariah’s Benedictus prayer from Luke 1:67-80.

Learn more about the Church of John the Baptist here: https://www.custodia.org/en/sanctuaries/ain-karem-saint-john-baptist Read the Benedictus prayer here: https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/audiences/2003/documents/hf_jp-ii_aud_20031001.html

Learn more about the meaning of peace through the Bible Project here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLYORLZOaZE

💟 Help us to keep developing the Magdala Project. Your donation is essential to us🫶 https://bit.ly/magdala-donate

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📢 Subscribe to our Newsletter 👉 https://bit.ly/magdala-newsletter

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Be part of the Magdala Family: intercessor, ambassador, volunteer... 🫶 https://bit.ly/magdalafamilymosaic

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© Copyright of New Gate to Peace Foundation 2023

Joshua 8:30-31 30 Then Joshua built on Mount Ebal an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, 31 as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses—an altar of uncut stones, on which no iron tool had been used. On it they offered to the Lord burnt offerings and sacrificed fellowship offerings. —------------------------ On this second Sunday of Advent, we explore the birthplace of John the Baptist in Ein Karem, just outside of Jerusalem. Join Kathleen as she goes into the Church of John the Baptist that now sits at the site as she discusses this place of peace and reflection. This is where scholars believe Elizabeth and Zachariah went to ponder God’s miraculous gift of a child in their old age. It was in this place near a vineyard that Elizabeth and Zachariah sat and sought out God’s peace and serenity. Shalom, which means peace, can also refer to a sense of order. When one’s relationships are is disorder, it’s difficult to live in shalom. Zachariah experienced this disorderliness when he didn’t trust the angel’s miraculous message, and he needed a place of reflection and quiet to put the inner pieces of his life in order. Life’s complexity can often cause us to live in a disordered way, but God can reorder our lives as we draw near to him. One way to do this is to read Zachariah’s Benedictus prayer from Luke 1:67-80. Learn more about the Church of John the Baptist here: https://www.custodia.org/en/sanctuaries/ain-karem-saint-john-baptist Read the Benedictus prayer here: https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/audiences/2003/documents/hf_jp-ii_aud_20031001.html Learn more about the meaning of peace through the Bible Project here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLYORLZOaZE 💟 Help us to keep developing the Magdala Project. Your donation is essential to us🫶 https://bit.ly/magdala-donate ℹ️ Discover more about Magdala 👉 https://bit.ly/magdala-en-yt Support us by purchasing our products: 🌍 Israel shop (worldwide shipping): https://bit.ly/magdalashop-en-yt 🇲🇽 Mexico Shop (shipping only in Mexico): https://bit.ly/magdalashop-en-yt 📢 Subscribe to our Newsletter 👉 https://bit.ly/magdala-newsletter 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Be part of the Magdala Family: intercessor, ambassador, volunteer... 🫶 https://bit.ly/magdalafamilymosaic 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/experiencemagdala/ 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magdalenglish © Copyright of New Gate to Peace Foundation 2023

The Advent Virtual Pilgrimage of Peace comes at no cost to you. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/magdala-advent-yt-en to get access to the daily Advent Calendar that accompanies the weekly videos. Isaiah 9: 1, 2, 5 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who lived in a land of gloom, a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy... For a child is born to us. Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever Prince of Peace. In this first week, we explore the meaning of peace in its historical and current contexts. Peace can mean an absence of conflict or war, and it can also mean the possession of internal peace. The biblical understanding of peace connects these ideas: the absence of conflict, war, bloodshed, and pain, and the presence of something better. In Hebrew, the term "Shalom" is often translated as "peace” but is closer in meaning to completeness, well-being, and divine grace. At the time and place of Christ's birth, his contemporaries thought often about peace. Under the rule of Caesar Augustus, who was known as the "Prince of Peace" in the Greco-Roman world for bringing prosperity to Roman cities and uniting the fractured Roman government, the Jews and other oppressed groups experienced financial hardship and second-rate status. In this context, the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would conceive a son she was to name Jesus, whose kingdom would never end. Jesus' kingdom is a kingdom of peace, which he brought to earth not through conflict and oppression, but through self-sacrifice. Learn more about the meaning of peace through the Bible Project here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLYORLZOaZE This year, people in the Holy Land are immersed in conflict, gloom, anxiety, and suffering. Let us pray for peace, desire peace, make room for peace, and work for peace to reign in our lives and in the whole world. 💟 Help us to keep developing the Magdala Project. Your donation is essential to us🫶 https://bit.ly/magdala-donate ℹ️ Discover more about Magdala 👉 https://bit.ly/magdala-en-yt Support us by purchasing our products: 🌍 Israel shop (worldwide shipping): https://bit.ly/magdalashop-en-yt 🇲🇽 Mexico Shop (shipping only in Mexico): https://bit.ly/magdalashop-en-yt 📢 Subscribe to our Newsletter 👉 https://bit.ly/magdala-newsletter 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Be part of the Magdala Family: intercessor, ambassador, volunteer... 🫶 https://bit.ly/magdalafamilymosaic 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/experiencemagdala/ 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magdalenglish © Copyright of New Gate to Peace Foundation 2023

From the ancient city of Magdala, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, virtual pilgrimage leader Kathleen Nichols invites us to ask not only What is Peace, but Who is Peace. Prepare to receive the Prince of Peace at Christmas and fill the Holy Land with your prayers for peace by following the Advent Virtual Pilgrimage of Peace each Sunday of Advent. The Advent Virtual Pilgrimage of Peace is free of charge and you can sign up here 👉 https://bit.ly/magdala-advent-yt to receive the daily Advent Calendar prepared to accompany the weekly videos from Nazareth, the place of the Visitation, and Bethlehem.