BETHLEHEM!

J E S U S. Today was went to Bethlehem, the place Jesus was born. We visited the church of the Nativity.  It was really pretty, but there was so much stuff. I would have imagined something much simpler, as the place I believe Jesus was born must have been. Instead, it was filled with lights, pictures, candles, and just cluttered with valuables. It was so surreal to be able to touch the place where Jesus is believed to have been born! It was definitely a very special place.

This morning we visited Herodian. This was Herod the Great’s summer palace, and the only palace to be named after him. The ruins were spectacular. I like to close my eyes and imagine what it would have looked like in all its splendor so long ago. Herod must have been brilliant to build as he did in that time period. Sadly, his story is tragic, and he ends his life as a psychopath. He ends up killing his wife and three sons, all out of jealousy.

This afternoon we had a lecture at Bethlehem Bible College. It is so crazy that Israeli citezens are not allowed into Bethlehem, a Palestinian controlled area. We had to switch our bus driver and tour guide so we could go into the city. It was really fascinating to hear the Palestinian perspective of someone who strongly believes in Jesus Christ but also strongly believes that Palestine is his home. So who belongs in Israel? I look forward to learning more about the Jewish/Palestinian conflict.