It's sad to say that Israel has given away much critical Land - Hevron (where the Patriarchs are buried), Jericho, Nazareth, Bethlehem, and many other Biblical towns and areas. As you know, eastern Jerusalem is the hottest topic with much Jewish and Christian history at stake. And just in the past few days, it has been said that a 3rd intifada will begin in Hevron and that they “will not give up one inch of the land of Palestine, from the river to the sea.” http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?ID=296013&R=R1
In 1995, Bethlehem became the 6th W. Bank city to come under Palestinian rule in accordance with the Oslo Accords. Since 1995, the Christian population in Bethlehem has shrunk from 20,000 to some 7,500. Here's an article from today's paper:
http://www.jpost.com/Features/InThespotlight/Article.aspx?id=296108
We began our adventure by taking an arab bus from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, a surprisingly very short and inexpensive ride - about 15 minutes and about $2 each.
To get to Bethlehem, you travel a road that has this security wall to
protect the vehicles from harm.
As those of you who have been to Israel know, you have preconceived ideas in your mind of what to expect when you see the "Land of the Bible", almost like a fairy tale. Reality can be much different....sometimes much, much better and sometimes just not quite what we thought at all.
We were told by some of the police that Palestinian leader Abbas was coming to Bethlehem that day, so there were police and security everywhere.
More police waiting for the convoy (which we never saw).
Before going to Nativity Square, we wanted to see the "infamous" wall that gets so much news coverage. Just on the other side of this wall you can see Gilo, a Jerusalem Neighborhood. Yes, Jerusalem and Bethlehem really are that close, we were surprised as well to even see our own neighborhood at one viewpoint later that day.
Here's some of the graffiti on the wall.
The whole situation is quite complex, and not one we we'll go into in this blog, but the picture below shows a lot. The woman smiling holding the gun is a Palestinian "martyr" who is honored for killing Jews. Next to her they portray "Christmas" being held captive inside the wall. The truth is, most of Bethlehem is Islamic and not Christian, but propaganda will receive more sympathy. The Christian Zionists who do live in Bethlehem are persecuted.
Next we made our way to Nativity Square.
Walking through the markets and streets.
Stopping for a very nice treat of hot sweet pancakes.
When we arrived at the square, we were surprised to find some very important religious dignitaries (from the Russia area?) pulled up next to us and jumped out into this crowd waiting for them. They then made a processional to the Church of Nativity.
We took this picture in Manger Square, showing the complexity of this town
- a mosque and a church right next to each other.
Also in Manger Square is this sign, depicting Bethlehem as part of Palestine.
In our Bible, Bethlehem is in Israel.
But thanks to the UNESCO, who last year declared Palestine a state (against the UNSC), Bethlehem is now listed with UNESCO as being Palestine. This occurred earlier this year, and an article is below if you want to know more.
Here is the famous Church of the Nativity, where Orthodox Christianity believe that Jesus was born. It was originally built in 327 AD by Constantine's mother Helena. Destroyed, and then rebuilt in 565 AD. Like the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, the church is administered jointly by Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic authorities.
This is the door you enter to get inside.
The inside is very ornate. No, they weren't decorating for Christmas,
it always looks like this.
Constantine's 4th century mosaic floor rediscovered in 1934.
This rose was the most beautiful site in Nativity Square.
Here's a beautiful song to go with the picture of the rose we took in Bethlehem.
Just click the link.
Next we made our way to the Shepherd's Fields, where many Christians go to get a truer picture of what it may have been like where Yeshua (Jesus) was born.
"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Luke 2:8-14
"And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:1-7
This cave is a good representation of many of the caves in the area.
They have pillars to keep it safe for visitors to go inside.
It's tall enough to stand inside, and you could smell smoke where a fire had been lit. Shepherds would often use these for birthing caves for the lambs and for shelter.
Nearby we made a trip to the Israeli National Park, Herodian. This was a palace of King Herod, that he had built and named after himself around 40 BC. It's only about 7 miles from Jerusalem, and we see it each day as we walk to the bus stop.
"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;For out of you shall come a RulerWho will shepherd My people Israel.’”
Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”
When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”
When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:
“A voice was heard in Ramah,Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning,Rachel weeping for her children,Refusing to be comforted,Because they are no more.”
Matthew 2:1-18
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| An ariel view - not ours :) |
This huge pool was built for Herod, and being the paranoid ruler that he was, he would have confidential meetings on the center island, knowing that no one else could possibly be listening.
This is the top of the cone where much of the palace was. There are also tunnels through the inside of the cone that we were able to walk through.
From this foreboding palace, Herod had an amazing view of both Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
When the day came to a close, and we had covered much ground, we went to an amazing dinner in Bethlehem, all you can eat Mediterranean food. The restaurant was set up like an underground cave.
We got there before the crowds which came later.
Almost a month later, we began celebrating Chanukah, which literally means "dedication", celebrating the rededication of the Temple that took place during the time of the Maccabees.
"Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch." John 10:22-23
Chanukiah at the Kotel (Western Wall)
Here's a video of another Chanukiah at the Kotel plaza.
Next we went walking around the residential neighborhoods
of the Jewish Quarter of the Old City.
This family was sitting outside telling the children the Chanukah story.
We made it to Jaffa Gate just in time to see the Chanukiah lit and the dancing begin.
Here's the Chanukiah in our home on the last night of Chanukah. Our daughter bought this Chanukiah many years ago, having it shipped from Israel to the US as a gift for us. Today, even as it is engraved on the base (Jerusalem), it is back home.
We have decided that this is our number 1 favorite holiday song - we hope you enjoy it as well. Just click the link:
Along with many others, we believe that a true miracle of Chanukah was the conception of Yeshua our Messiah - the Light of the world. While His human birth gives much to rejoice in, what is most amazing is the conception between mankind and the Holy Spirit of God.
"Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." Luke 1:34-35
While we celebrate Yeshua (Jesus) our Messiah's conception, His birth or both, we can REJOICE with the Jewish people as this sign says above:
A GREAT MIRACLE HAPPENED HERE!
Happy Chanukah & Merry Christmas!
