We finally reached Jerusalem! It was Sunday morning, and we were sitting on the Mt. of Olives overlooking Jerusalem. The view was breathtaking as we enjoyed our Sunday morning service and observed communion together. As we were leaving the Mt. of Olives, some rode the camel; but there was not time for all. Vendors surrounded us on every side and it would continue as such until we left on our final day.
We went to the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed the lame man in John 5. The ruins were well preserved and you could easily picture the various pool and patio areas as they once stood. The Church of St. Anne is in close proximity to the pool, so we were able to tour it. The church was built in approx. 1129 by the Crusaders. The Muslims conquered the Crusaders and turned the church into an Islamic school for girls. Our group sang (our guide was a trained vocalist) and the priest thanked our people for bringing the rains of blessing to their land.
We drove past and overlooked the Valley of Gehenna, where babies were sacrificed to the god Molech (II Kings 23:10; Jer. 32:35); and continued on toward Bethlehem. It was only about five miles and we sang Christmas carols on the way! Bethlehem is located in the West Bank, so we had to have our passports ready and armed guards walked through the bus for a quick sweep. Evidently none of us looked too suspicious.
We ate lunch at "The Tent Restaurant," which had a great ambiance with long tables, bench seating, and burlap roofing. The food was great. As we left, we saw a shepherd with his flock of sheep and almost lost one of our group members (from another church) as she stepped out in front of a speeding car. Her guardian angel almost lost his job that day!
After lunch, we made our way to the Shepherd's Field, where it is traditionally believed that the angels announced Jesus' birth to the shepherds. We were able to wander through the caves where the shepherds and the sheep slept. This was a very neat site and offered a great view of Bethlehem, which was in very close proximity.
Next was the Church of the Nativity -- the place observed as the birthplace of Christ. We waited in line for approx. 1 hour. The church constructed over the site was huge! It was built by the Byzantines, had a Crusader mosaic of gold on the wall, a mosaic floor over 1500 years old, ornate oil lamps hanging, chandeliers, priest saying "quiet," and candles being sold. (Our guide stated, "Nothing has changed." They sell candles for $12 each, but you can buy the same ones outside for only $1 each.) This place was "cold," "empty," and a symbol of "dead" religion! It reminded me of Matt 7:22.
We eventually made our way into the small cave, where an elaborate and ornate structure was built over the birthplace. A 14 point star marked the spot. People were bending over touching it, kissing it, etc. There was pushing, shoving, priests bringing people in the wrong way if they paid them on the side, etc. This site was my least favorite of all and opened my eyes as to "why" God has not revealed things like Noah's Ark, the Ark of the Covenant, etc. When these items or places are found, people begin to worship the items more than God.
We left the church, went shopping in Bethlehem, and then returned to the hotel for supper and bed.
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