Date: March 2011
 |
| Walking the streets of Jerusalem March 2011 |
 |
| Our travel group. My in-laws and five of their six kids and spouses Jerusalem 2011 |
 |
| Found on a wall just outside of the Church of the Nativity Bethlehem March 2011 |
 |
| The Church of the Nativity Bethlehem March 2011 |
 |
| The bell tower that sits at the top of the church Bethlehem March 2011 |
After being in Israel for four days we finally made it north to Bethlehem. During our visit to Israel we had a Jewish tour guide with a Palestinian driver (who had a duel passport). When we had to cross out of Jerusalem over to Bethlehem, which is now under the Palestinian Authority, we had to leave our Jewish guide because he was not allowed to enter Palestine. We had to cross the border and we were able to do that in our vehicles with only a border check of passports. Once our driver made it across we met our guide from Palestine.
 |
| A sign near Bethlehem on the Jerusalem side of the border Jerusalem March 2011 |
 |
| Bethlehem as seen from the Jerusalem side of the border March 2011 |
"8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." Luke 2:8
Though Bethlehem is only a six mile drive from Jerusalem it is a world of difference. The streets are littered and in need of repair. There is spray paint on walls and it looks like every building is in some sort of phase of construction and none of it complete.
"4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is calledaBethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)" Luke 2:4
 |
| Our guide in his family's wood carving shop Bethlehem March 2011 |
When we met our guide it was at a very clean but deserted cafe. There were twelve of us in our party and we had the whole place to ourselves. Beside seeing the lamb on the rotisserie in the front I would have thought the restaurant had been shut down long ago. We enjoyed a typical meal of schwarma, or falafel pitas with some hummus and canned sodas. Once we were full our first stop was to our tour guides family business, a wood working shop.
He took us down to the shop where his father and brother-n-laws all whittle statues and figurines depicting Christian symbols and many events of the life of Christ. However, they also made figurines of other religious faiths but most were of the Christian denomination. The shop was dirty and dusty and used some very primitive tools but some sophisticated ones as well. The statues they made were beautiful and there was no denying the craftsmanship that was put into making these figurines . The statues faces alone were magnificent and there was a real difference between the artist and the beginners.
 |
| Some of the machinery used to carve seven figurines at the same time Bethlehem March 2011 |
 |
| My favorite nativity I purchased at our guides store in Bethlehem, made of real olive wood of the area |
 |
| The hanging lamps that line the center of the Church of the Nativity Bethlehem March 2011 |
 |
| Some of the beautiful mosaics that are being preserved on the floor of the church Bethlehem March 2011 |
"15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." Luke 2: 15
 |
| Walking down into the original cave of the nativity Bethlehem March 2011 |
I truly hope I don't sound sacrilegious describing what I saw but it had such an effect on me, because it was not like anything I had ever imagined when I think of the birthplace of our Savior. Once inside the building and up towards the alter there is a side set of stairs that leads down to the actual spot that is designated as the place where Christ was born. Winding down a small narrow set of stairs we passed through canvases and fabric that are hung to hide the cave like walls of this room. With the amount of dust and dirt on these fabrics I think I would have preferred the cave structure.
"12 And this shall be a asign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."Luke 2:12
 |
| The mark that represents the spot of Christ's birth Bethlehem March 2011 |
 |
| Many people stop to kiss the ground in this alcove so it is very busy Bethlehem March 2011 |
 |
| Another cave nearby that doesn't have all of the adornments better represented the birthplace to me in my mind Bethlehem March 2011 |
Down around another set of stairs there is a better example of what a stable looked like in the days of Mary and Joseph. It was on the side of the hill and looked more like a cave like structure. This is where I was overcome of the sanctity of where I was standing. Here without the grandeur, in a simple cave, I could better identify with what I had imagined for so many years. So my testimony was buoyed and strengthened with this visit. Being there and reflecting on the events of Luke 2 I felt the spirit whisper to my heart that He Lives! He was born!! My heart is full even writing this and putting my thoughts down, it really is hard to describe the feeling of this holy place.
"13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
While we were there we all lingered together, as couples, or privately thinking about the miracle that happened here under the Church of the Nativity. Presently the church is sectioned off and owned by different churches. Each church wanting to own a bit of this holy site. I don't think that is how the Savior would have like to it, but I am grateful that we are able to have access to this area.
 |
| A Bedouin man shepherding his sheep Bethlehem border March 2011 |
 |
| The poverty these nomads live in near the border. Those train cars are made into makeshift homes and barns for their flock Bethlehem March 2011 |
After visiting this area we got back on our van and began our exit from Palestine and headed back to Jerusalem. Along the way, and just after the border crossing, we came upon a shepherd and his flock. They were coming in from the fields and this nomad, bedouin, was bringing his flock to his makeshift pen he had set up with his very temporary living quarters. We asked our bus driver to stop and we got off the bus to get a closer look. My sister-in-law "T" is a photographer and she has no fear asking for permission to take someones photo. She walked briskly over to the bedouin and using hand signs, instead of a language he did not understand, she asked to take his photo. The man graciously accepted and even brought out a few lambs so we could get close ups of his flock. It was a sweet experience.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you agood tidings of great bjoy, which shall be to all people." Luke 2: 9-10
 |
| Our little group having an impromptu devotional on this holy land where the shepherds followed the star so long ago It was a humbling visit Bethlehem March 2011 |
"11 For unto you is aborn this day in the city of David a bSaviour, which is Christ the cLord.
I have a firm testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints it is often questioned if we are Christians. I hope that by reading my blog, and getting to know me in person, you may understand that I am a Christian. I believe in the same God of the Bible, the same God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. I know that my Savior was born in Bethlehem so long ago and was later crucified so that I could be forgiven of my sins. I know this is a gift I must be worthy. I pray that by my daily actions, my works on this earth I will be judged and be found worthy to live with Him again someday. This is my testimony to you and I pray at this holiday season we can all take time to remember our Savior, Jesus Christ.
--Courtney
--Courtney
No comments:
Post a Comment