Bethlehem

Hello again everybody! We are still exhausted, but still having a wonderful time! Yesterday we went to Bethlehem, which means going through an Israeli checkpoint into Palestinian-controlled West Bank territory. The main attraction in Bethlehem, of course, is the Church of the Nativity, long venerated as the site of Jesus' birth. Above is a picture of Holly touching the "star of Bethlehem," the marker of the site, in a grotto (cave) below the sanctuary of the church.



The Church is controlled by Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Armenian Christians. This is the Orthodox sanctuary, situated directly above the birth site. Let's just say their decorating taste isn't exactly Methodist. The chandeliers were given by Russian Czar Nicholas before the 1917 Russian revolution. This is the oldest continually operating church, founded in about the year 300 with worship taking place here ever since. Some of the original floors and structures still exist.




Above, an exterior corner of the Church of the Nativity


Rev. Jamie Jenkins talks to the group at the Shepherds' Field cave, just outside of Bethlehem. This cave is traditionally considered the site of the angelic appearance announcing Jesus' birth. We sang "Angels We Have Heard on High" here.