Israel day 3

This morning we started out for Bethlehem but we had a few stops on the way! First stop was to an overlook that looks out over the city of Jerusalem. In the background of our picture to the right is the Mount of Olives.

Next we went to the tomb of Rachel in Bethlehem just south of Jerusalem. This is a sacred place for the Jews to pray for their children. The women and men pray on separate sides. Rachel's tomb represents sacrificial love. 

 

 

After we left Rachel’s tomb we headed into Bethlehem. Here we saw the Shepherd’s Field where David was called to be King, the angel’s announced that Jesus was born and where Ruth met Boaz .   We also saw olive trees and maneuvered through caves where the shepherds are thought to have stayed 

Our guide Jonny was Palestinian- because Bethlehem is Palestinian territory our main tour guide Peleg could not guide us around. 

Next we stopped byThe Shepherds' Field Chapel or the Sanctuary of the Gloria in excelsis Deo. It  is adjacent to the Shepherd's Field. The chapel marks the place where, according to Catholic tradition, angels first announced the birth of Christ.

Then we walked o the Church of the Nativity- which is thought to mark the birth place of Christ. You have to stoop down to enter inside. To Christians, it seems appropriate to bow low before entering the place where God humbled himself to become man.

St. Jerome lived in this cave, found in the lower level, for 30 years while he translated the Bible. 

Herod’s Tomb where they uncovered the remains of baby boys.

After we left the Church of the Nativity we went to the Bethlehem Nativity Gift shop. There were lots of beautiful things made out of olive wood. You could also buy jewelry and coins. 

We headed to the Holocaust Museum next. What a sobering experience.

                                             

After the Holocaust Museum we went to the Church of the Visitation where Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth to share the news of her pregnancy- and Elizabeth, old in age, was blessed with a child, John the Baptist. Here Mary recited her song of praise, the Magnificat

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My soul doth magnify the Lord,

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour

Because He hath regarded the humility of his handmaid: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Because He that is mighty hath done great things to me, and holy is His name.

And His mercy is from generation unto generations to them that fear Him.

He hath shewed might in His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.

He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble.

He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away.

He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy.

As He spoke to our fathers; to Abraham and his seed forever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,

As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Our last stop of the day was to the Valley Of Elah where David slew Goliath.

Peep my dirty dusty feet! Now we know why they had the ceremonial foot washing when they came and went from home to home.