Bethlehem

Remember, I'm not going in order, but I want to write a little bit about Bethlehem. You've heard of Bethlehem, O Little Town of, where Jesus was born, the City of David.

It is now a Palestinian city with a huge wall that snakes around and through. The wall, built by the Israeli government, is 20 feet high in most places and is ugly. "A scar upon the place," said Michael. But it has greatly decreased the number of attacks by Palestinians there, attacks upon Jews and Jerusalem, which is about six miles from Bethlehem.

When you go to Bethlehem, you will have to pass through a guarded station, and likely a woman accompanied by an armed soldier will walk through your bus and look you over. And you will not be allowed to take pictures at that station.

The picture below is of a street corner in Bethlehem, actually a roundabout, outside Nissan Brothers' olive wood shop. Big shop. Lots to look at, and I thought the prices were high, by the way. But, yes, I bought something.

The following photos are also in Bethlehem. The Church of the Nativity. Soldiers there, too. Notice that you have to stoop to enter the church.

Church of the Nativity

Ann going to church in Bethlehem

Inside the Church of the Nativity

Also inside, a priest studies. I believe it/he is Eastern Orthodox.

 There are A sites, B sites, and C sites. A sites are ones like the synagogue in Capernaum. We know Jesus was there. We have scriptural references and we have the actual place. B sites are like the one immediately below. This place is under the Church of the Nativity and is "thought" to be the grotto where the Savior was born. That's why they built the church here.

Sorry the picture is blurred.

In the courtyard at the Church of the Nativity. We sang Christmas Carols here. It's Bethlehem, remember.