And you, Beit-Lechem in the land of Y’hudah,
are by no means the least among the rulers of Y’hudah;
for from you will come a Ruler
who will shepherd my people Isra’el.’”
Matthew 2:6 and Micah 5:1
While we personally don't believe that our Savior and Messiah was born during the winter month now known as December, to be in Israel and not visit Bethlehem during this season would be a shame.
To us, based on Scripture and Biblical holidays, it is more likely that Yeshua (Jesus) was conceived in Nazareth during this time (where we may visit next weekend), and then born nine months later in Bethlehem during the Feast of Tabernacles - as He came to "tabernacle" or dwell among us.
We believe that life begins at conception, and according to the Bible, the miracle was the conception, as Yeshua - the Light of the World - came to be in human form during the Feast of Lights otherwise known as Chanukah. Chanukah is also known as the Feast of Dedication. Yeshua came to earth to give mankind an opportunity to dedicate their lives to their God.
"Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter." John 10:22
Please join us on a picture adventure we took yesterday to the little town of Bethlehem that we have all sung about since our childhood. We began our day taking an Arab bus from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, then walking about 20 minutes to Manger Square.
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| Walking to Manger Square |
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| Sesame and coconut sweets |
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| Shawarma!! |
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| Not quite Starbucks, but still good. |
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| Manger Square |
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| Palestinian Police |
The next several pictures are in the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem. It is a church that was commissioned in 327 by Constantine and his mother Helena that is traditionally considered to be located over the cave that marks the birthplace of Jesus. While it is very orthodox, and no one knows the actual site, this is still a church that is over 1,600 years old.
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| Tiny door - entrance to the Church of Nativity |
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| Line to see the traditional site of the birthplace of Jesus. The church is under construction as it is very old and in need of repair. |
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| Original mosaic floors |
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| The site that is traditionally considered to be the birthplace of Jesus |
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| Bethlehem. Jerusalem in the distance (only 5 miles away) |
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| Both mosques and churches in Manger Square |
A few years ago in Bethlehem, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas claimed that Jesus was the first Palestinian martyr, as they continue to rewrite both Christian and Jewish history in Israel.
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We next rode by taxi to Shepherds' Fields to get a more realistic look of what it may have been like 2,000 years ago when Yeshua was born.
While we - a group of 6 people - were in this small building, we took advantage of the acoustics and sang Silent Night.
Now on to our favorite part of this trip to Bethlehem, the caves that give a real-life example of what it could have been like to give birth in a "birthing cave" of the sheep in Bethlehem, as there was no room in the sleeping quarters of the residents.
The caves...
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| Large underground cave |
This is what the caves looked like from above. You would never realize what was just below us.
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And the fields....also from the Biblical story of Ruth and Boaz.
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| Original mosaic floor |
Across the street, there is a large olive wood store. This manger scene was at least 3 feet tall.
Then on to our next favorite past of the trip - lunch!! The hummus is sooooo smooth and so delicious!!
Hot and fresh falafels anyone? Yum!!! If you've never had them, they are ground chickpeas (like the hummus) with herbs and deep fried.
Video of falafels being made.
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| Walking back to the bus stop. |
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| We bought warm peanuts roasted on hot charcoals. |
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| Dates & Strawberries |
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| Hanging bananas and chestnuts |
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| The bus back home |
As we spend time with family and friends, may we never lose sight of the reason Yeshua came....
"Yeshua spoke to them again:
“I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light which gives life.”
John 8:12
