Bethlehem

The Star of Bethlehem

I was super excited to go to Bethlehem. We read Luke 2 in preparation. I think the kids were excited to because it was something they had heard and could relate to. We only took one wrong turn over the border and went to Rachel's tomb and then back through the border and around the corner to go over the boarder again, into Bethlehem. Bethlehem is part of the Palestinian state and so we had to use our passports to get through the border. We were warned about Bethlehem, that the roads are narrow and hard to drive. I only went up the wrong way on a one way street once, got honked at, and turned around. No worries. After entering, we drove up directly to the Church of the Nativity and someone waved us into a parking spot close to the church. Then we were approached by a Palestinian guide offering his services. Seth said yes and we were very happy that we did. He gave us the brief history of each of the sites, but mostly he acted as our body guard. He knew every one of the guards, and if vendors approached us, he would wave them away. It ended up being a great benefit for us.

This is us, in front of the Church of the Nativity

This small door is the entrance to the Church of the Nativity. It was built by the Ottomans to prevent camels to enter into the church. The bowing down to get in was also symbolic to humbling yourself before God. 

Here is our trusty guide, Sayid talking about the church.

Here is Sam overlooking the church of Helena floor, the original church flooring. Incredible mosaics. The other picture is of the kids sitting in front of the church.

The cave that Jesus was born in was under the church, so we walked down some stairs to get to the spot believed to be where Jesus as born. The kids knelt down quietly to see. 

The stone trough that the kids are sitting on the edge of, is believed to be the manager where baby Jesus was thought to lay. 

The Church of the Nativity is actually made up of three churches by three dominations- the Greek Orthodox, the Armenian Apostolic,and The Roman Catholics. We were led through the three different churches, all making up the church of the nativity. (P.S. I hope I am getting my facts right.)

Below is a second cave under the church. This was the cave that St Jerome lived and died in. It was here that he translated the Bible into common Latin which is the basis of the Bible today. 

Here is Sam, Jake, and our guide Sayid.

Here is Janny and Ellie standing in St Jerome's cave, a very important place for Christians around the world.

And Sam and Ellie.

I am always in awe of the incredible stain glass windows.

Here is the kids in front of the one of the status of the crusaders. Jake like the dragon that was being slain.

Out side flies the flag of the star of Bethlehem

Here is Janny in front of the flag and the Star of Bethlehem.

After the Church of the Nativity, we asked Sayid to take us to an olive wood shop. We remembered going to a shop or a factory of sort when we were students forever ago. We remembered that much of the carving was done in Bethlehem. He took us to a shop but we had the American discount (meaning mark up).

Jake had won over Sayid and he sat them with his guard friends.

Then Sayid carried him around Bethlehem on his shoulders. While we shopped Sayid played tops with him. Jake started to cry when we told him he couldn't stay with Sayid. That kid.

Walking down the main street, Sayid pointed out that they had their "own" Starbucks here. Since we are from the land of Starbucks in Seattle, we had to take a picture. 

Look just behind Seth. "Stars & Bucks"

Nice!

We asked Sayid to help us with some shopping and he said if he couldn't get a good price he would sign to us to leave. He was awesome. I think he had compassion for us after asking our situation and Jake had him wrapped around his finger. They hugged 20 times as they said good bye. Awe Jake. 

We sat down to eat what Sayid has said was traditional Palestinian food. It was pretty good. Seth had lamb, and we ordered a chicken dish and a pizza dish. We were eating right at the square of the Church of the Nativity. And after a bit, it filled with cars and people. We asked the waiters what was going on. They said they weren't sure. The guy who had helped us park can over to us and told us it was time to leave, that there was a dispute in square and that we needed to get out. Nothing more need to be said. We got into our car and took off. We were grateful he was looking out for us. As we left there was  heavy police presence and it was evening time.

Here was the pizza below. Those are red onions on tops. It was actually super awesome.

Of coarse as we are waiting in line at the border, Jake says he has to pee. Super Janny to the rescue, since I was driving. No potties in sight but a nice wall will do. You can see the political protests tagged on the separating the two states of Israel.