Bethlehem

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Bummer!!! We just found out that our wake-up call is going to be at 4:00 a.m. tomorrow, luggage out at 4:30. Ugh. This is going to be an abbreviated blog.



We woke this morning to a beautifully clear day. We visited the Church of the Nativity and below it, the cave-stable of Jesus’ birth. We saw the shrine of the Holy Innocents, the infants killed by Herod the Great. We celebrated Mass at the cave where St. Jerome translated the Bible into Latin.



Afterwards, we divided into small groups to share lunch at the homes of local Christian families. We waited by the side of the road for our rides. We arrived at the home of Georgette. Her son picked us up and came in and talked to us for awhile before he had to go to work. She had 2 sons and 1 daughter who lives in South Carolina. All of the family live in the same home. It is customary for people to build a house and only finish the first floor to avoid paying taxes on the whole house. As children grow up and get married they finish off another story, etc. Georgette’s son, George, started talking about the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. I have largely stayed away from this topic because it is so confusing to me, but it is causing the Palestinians a lot of anguish. It is easier for them to come to the United States than go to Jerusalem which is 20 minutes away. I want to try to understand it better. George, (our tour guide) is Palestinian and the only reason he can go to Jerusalem is because he is a tour guide. Anyway, I digress. Georgette’s son went to work stating he would be back in an hour to pick us up. Georgette prepared a meal of chicken, a delicious rice dish and a salad. We asked her lots of questions and she showed us her yard where she grows oranges and lemons along with some herbs. It is really wonderful to be able to visit homes in the country visited.



After lunch we drove to the town of Beit Sahour to see Shepherd’s Fields, inhabited by Christians for hundreds of years. Our visit to Bethlehem also included the Milk Grotto (where tradition tells us that Mary breast-fed Jesus) and the cloistered Carmelite Monastery to learn about the story of soon to be canonized Sister Miriam Beaudry.



We even managed to get in a little shopping today after which we had to fend off the street vendors who are merciless in trying to get us to buy their wares, even so bold as to try to come on the bus. George (tour guide) gave us a code to use. If we wanted to buy something he would tell us if it was a good buy or an excellent buy. Good buy meant Good Bye and excellent buy meant you could buy it if you wished.



Time to turn in as 4:00 a.m. will be here before you know it.

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Photos

Georgette and John
Showing off her orange tree

Comments

[Sharyn Heisick]

Bethlehem
Hi George and John When I was in the Holy Land years ago I think visiting the Church of the Nativity was the absolute highlight. I am sure when your trip is over you will both have your favorites. How fun to have lunch with a local family! It is interesting to learn the customs of the country first hand. I am enjoying all of the pictures. I am very happy you are having such a marvelous SAFE time. Love Sharyn