With great vigor...

We started this day with our luggage, clean clothes and a renewed sense that we would indeed make 64 days without further problems. Feeling happy! 

We have a one-half day tour scheduled to Bethlehem. Although only ten km (6 miles) away, it is a world away since it is in the Palestinian sector. No problem coming into the country, but we were asked for our passports by AK-47-toting scowling soldiers when we exited. 

Border Wall and waiting on our tour to Bethlehem overlooking the city of Jerusalem. 

 Definitely a different vibe....the architecture not as pretty, lots of trash on the side of the road, and the people just not as inviting. BUT...the reason for the visit was to see the birth place of Jesus Christ. The church of the Nativity did not disappoint. As earlier mentioned, magnificent churches are built on top of all the major religious sites. This one was in the center of "Manger Square", televised every Christmas Eve around the world. Inside the spot where Jesus was born is marked with a silver star on the floor that can be touched. 

 Just  helping us cross the street. 

 Church built over the birthplace of Christ 

 Chapel above the birthplace of Christ

Daily procession blessing the birthplace of Christ. This one was on the Catholic side of the church. 

 Headed down to the manger

 

Where Mary wrapped Jesus in swaddling cloth after His birth 

 

Location of the birth, touching the silver star marking His birthplace. Very moving. 

 

Same pic, of the silver star marking the birthplace without us in it. 

In the late 4th century Saint Jerome devoted 30 years of his life in this maze of subterranean chambers under the Church of the Nativity translating the Hebrew and Greek bibles into Latin. 

On the ride back we stopped at another church built over the cave where the Shepherds stayed while attending their flock and who witnessed the star announcing the birth of Jesus Christ. As we approached Jerusalem we rode past the Mount of Olives which overlooks the city. This is where Jesus ascended to heaven on the 40th day after his resurrection. The Mount also overlooks the Garden of Gethsemane, basically a small olive tree grove where Jesus foresaw the agony of his arrest and death. 

 Olive oil presses

 Cave where the shepherds slept the night the Christmas Star, or star of Bethlehem shone signaling Jesus birth.

 The mount of Olives. 

This entire experience was truly the highlight of the trip to Israel. It would be incredible to attend church service here on Christmas Eve. 

Arriving mid-afternoon back in Jerusalem, we had another great lunch of hummus and an Armenian pizza in one of the small restaurants tucked away in the bowels of old town. Having now seen most of the significant religous sites, we opted to head back to the hotel for some rest and an early dinner.

Our hotel has a bell tower designed by the same person who designed the empire state building. If you are a guest of the hotel, you get a special trip up into the tower. 

 

 The bells were enormous. 

 View of Jerusalem from the top.