#2 - Israel 2018 - Bethlehem

Our day started much the same as yesterday, and after breakfast we headed for Bethlehem. We stopped at Shepherd's Field, from which we could the area in which the shepherds were visited by the angel announcing that Jesus, "a Savior, who is Christ the Lord", had been born.  We had an amazing reflection on Luke 2:1-20 by Fr. Wayne Farrell, followed by visiting a cave that would have likely been similar to the place where Jesus was born.  It was a very informative and spirit-filled morning, concludiing with our group singing together, "Angels we have heard on high," in the Church of the Shepherd's Field.

We made our way to a portion of the huge "security" wall that surrounds Bethlehem, where the discussion again became very political about the reality of the Israeli occupancy and the impact it has on everyone living in Bethlehem; Muslim and Christian.  One way in and one way out, we were told of how the security check point makes sure that only those with yellow license plates (Israeli citizens) on their cars travel freely to and from the area to Jerusalem and other areas within the West Bank, while all others, with white license plates, must apply for a permit from the government to go to Jerusalem and can even be restricted at times from going to work, etc. in other place within the West Bank. The conversation of why Israel can build such a wall in the area where building is not permitted also stirred much emotion with our guide, Iyad, who is a Palestinian Arab Christian.

We ate lunch at Beit Sahour, and then went to the Church of the Nativity.  It was very hot, but luckily we were able to make our way inside quickly. We stood in awe at the site of 3 altars, and made our way down the side steps to place of Jesus' birth.  We all took turns venerating the place under the altar marked by a star.  We heard a lot about the area and how such religious sites are determined, marked and/or preserved over thousands of years. It was a holy experience, but it can be very distracting at times with so many rushing in and out of the holy sites.

We are constantly approached by street vendors, some more aggressive than others, bargaining with us to by their goods.  Even after leaving Bethlehem for Mt. Scopus, to get a view of Jerusalem from its high point, within a few minutes a vendor showed up.  It also seems that our guide has many "cousins" throughout the region who have stores we stop at regularly. We made it back to St. George's College just before dinner, and discovered that our suitcases had finally shown up!! Yea!

After dinner we were given free time.  So, Marcia, David and Denise Wallace and me walked to the Western Wall for Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath.  There were hundreds and hundreds of Jewish people, families, and military at the Wall praying, singing and dancing. It was a great experience, and at times very Spirit-filled to see such a large and bustling worship celebration. Men to the north end, and women to the right, they lined the Wall wall completely with no room for more to stand.  After an hour or so, we headed back to the college, since we have to be on the bus at 5am tomorrow for our journey to Galilee. Good night!