If it's Thursday, is this Bethlehem?

Oh little town of Bethlehem,
how strange you seem from the bus.

It certainly doesn't look like the Bible stories we heard in church (and in school) or the carols we sang. But we knew it wouldn't. Still, it's a shock. Early tradition says Jesus was born in a cave, although that's not the Biblical account. I think people hid in caves to worship after converting, however. Anyway, another church over another sacred place--Justin Martyr mentions it in the mid-2nd century, as does the Protoevangelium of James (2nd century). Origen notes that the cave of Jesus' birth was pointed out in his day, and that was most likely where the Byzantine church was erected.

That said, we didn't see anything fearful and awful the way some Christian and anti-Israel tourists have reported--at least I didn't. Maybe it looks worse if you walk in. Our Israeli guide had to leave us, and a Palestian guide boarded the bus. Tourism is an essential industry but we saw many small store front and kiosk type businesses. We had a wonderful Palestinian Christian guide who was so informative and kind. He also pointed out to us the area believed to be the fields of the shepherds "keeping watch over their flocks by night." We had a bit of a wait at the guard house to enter the Bethlehem section, but I think that was a paper work snafu, or an irritable employee.


The entrance to the Church of the Nativity is so small, only a child could walk upright--a good message.







A member of our group (bus 5) read the Christmas story from Luke, and we all sang "Silent Night," the prettiest I've ever heard.

I'll do a bit more research when I get back from our Easter travels. Some of our photos from this church are a bit fuzzy, and I may have to borrow some from others on our bus.