Christian Mothers in Bethlehem
We women need each other. While working on a project for Notgrass History a while back, I searched in the image collection of the Library of Congress for images of Bethlehem. I love this stereoscopic photo I found of women in Bethlehem studying the Bible together. The Library of Congress labeled it: “Search the scriptures” – a Bible class of Christian mothers in Bethlehem of Judea, Palestine.
In my years of writing for Notgrass History, I have seen many of these stereoscopic photos. Here are two more examples, one of the famous Jubilee Singers of Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, . . .
Jubilee Singers, Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee, 1872,
published by the American Missionary Society,
courtesy of the Smithsonian National Museum
of African American History and Culture
. . . and this one of President William Howard Taft.
President William Howard Taft, c. 1910,
published by Underwood & Underwood,
courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery,
Smithsonian Institution
People once viewed stereoscopic photos in stereoscopes like this one in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution.
Stereoscope
manufactured by Underwood & Underwood,
patented June 11, 1901,
courtesy of the Smithsonian National Museum
of African American History and Culture,
gift of Oprah Winfrey
As I said, I love the photo of women in Bethlehem searching the Scriptures together. I wish I knew more about them. I love the happy expression of the older woman at right on the back row. I wonder why the women on the floor do not have Bibles, but all of the others do. I wonder if there is a difference in wealth between the ladies since the older lady is wearing a lace head covering and the lady who is second from the left on the middle row has lace trim on hers. The facial features of the lady in the front make me think that she is likely a missionary. I assume that her dress and scarf are decorated with embroidery sewn by hand. She seems to be the teacher. Did these ladies make it for her in appreciation for her teaching them?
I want to think that they are close to one another. Some of us find it easy to make connections with other women, and some of us find it difficult. Satan wants to divide women from each other, just as he wants to divide husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, parents and children . . . The list goes on and on. Not only does Satan divide families and friends, but nations, too. Jesus told some Pharisees:
The thief comes only to steal
and kill and destroy;
I came that they may have life,
and have it abundantly.
John 10:10
One thing that the thief destroys is relationships.
A precious blog reader from North Dakota inspired one of my New Year’s resolutions: to be more hospitable. It is an excellent way to make connections with others. Let’s make 2026 a year of connecting. We would all like others to reach out to us, but let’s look for the lonely and reach out to them.
And when it is you who are feeling lonely, remember the promise of Jesus:
“ . . . and lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20