Bethlehem

The visit to Bethlehem was very eye opening.  The city is now walled in and protected by Isrealite guards.  The citizens of Bethlehem are Christian and Muslim Arabs so we were in Palestinian territory.  Our Jewish guide had to find a hidden place on the bus to enter the city with our group.

Once inside the city, it looked very poor and vacated.  Unfortunately with the walls protecting Israel from threats, the people have no one coming and going into their city to improve their economy.  A big tour bus like ours coming in brought out all the street vendors and beggars which was pretty sad.  There was a great store that we were literally the only ones inside, it was The Olive Tree Factory.  This is where we met Mr. Nissan and his family.  They hosted us for lunch later in the day as well (pictures below).

Of course you can't go to Bethlehem without visiting the Church of the Nativity which is built over the place marking the birth of Jesus.  This city holds other significant meaning too in that nearly 4000 years ago, Jacob buried his young wife Rachel here (Gen. 35: 16-19) and this was the home of Naomi and her family.  Bethlehem was also where Ruth gleaned in the fields and fellin love with Boaz (Ruth 2) and their great-grandson David was born here too. 

Entrance into the Church of the Nativity.  You had to duck to get in and this was for several reasons.  One reason was because battles were waged with soldiers on horseback. This prevented horses from entering (you can see the earlier doorway arch that was sealed up).  Other reasons we heard were that the bowing required to enter the church was in reverance to the birth of Christ.  Another said it was the narrow opening signifying the narrow road that leads to the Kingdom of Heaven.  I presume many can come up with more reasons but the main reason for the building is to protect the birth place of our Lord.  We were reminded not to worship the site but the reason for the site being here in the first place!

Although the church was built over the stable where Christ was born and it is difficult to imagine what it was originally like, you can still see the stable ceiling which helps one to get a better perspective.

Mr. Nissan and his brothers hosted our groups in their beautiful restaurant.  The food was delicious and the hospitality perfect.  Our bus captain's wife Melissa had a birthday on this day in Bethlehem and Mr. Nissan had several cakes brought out for her so we could all enjoy. 

This marks the place where Jesus was born.  This was inside a very small room that was originally the stable.