From birth to triumphant entry

We began the morning with a visit to the tomb of Rachel (the wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin). We arrived first thing in the morning and there was a steady group of women and men coming to pray. The areas for prayer are separated--men on one side and women on the other. Each coming for morning prayers, reciting the shema or other prayers from the psalm books. Because Rachel died in childbirth with Benjamin, many women also come to pray for those who are experiencing a difficult pregnancy or who are desiring to become pregnant. 

The tomb is right next to the wall which divides the West Bank from Israel. Next, we crossed into the West Bank and went to Bethlehem where we met our Palestinian guide. He informed us of the dwindling number of Christians who live in the West Bank. Many are leaving because of the difficult circumstances. After some tremendous shopping at a shop owned by a family that has relatives in Kingwood, TX (small world!), we went to see the grotto where Jerome translated the bible into Latin in the 4th century. Because today was Sunday, we were rushed in to see the grotto in between catholic mass services. We had a chance, though, to sing O Little Town of Bethlehem. I reflected on our recent Advent series at chapelwood where we spoke of the paradoxes of the birth of Jesus, particularly of the line taken from that Philip Brooks hymn--"yet in thy dark street shineth, the everlasting Light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight."

On. To the church of the nativity. Talk about a crowded place with "ownership" by three churches--Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian. To be honest, it was difficult to wrap our minds around the significance of the place while we stood in a queue waiting for our turn with some people pushing and trying to jump ahead in the line. But we took a moment to pause and breathe in the significance, read John ch.1 and give thanks for the Word which dwelt among us. Each of us had the chance to bend and touch and/or kiss the star which marks the traditional spot of Jesus' birth (since about 356 AD).  We all gathered then at the back of the grotto and knelt with our faces to the ground as Melissa read Philippians 2--(paraphrased here)

Have the same mind of Christ Jesus, who though he was Divine, took the form of humanity. Becoming like one of us. Submitting himself to death, even death on a cross. Yet God exalted Him above all--Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess. He. Is. Lord. 

Next we had a delicious lunch on the shepherds hill where it is believed the angel appeared to the shepherds. Perhaps but regardless the local Palestinian food and hospitality was exceptional. 

The day ended with a walk down the Mt of Olives, pausing to read from the gospel of Luke, Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, his triumphant procession into Jeruslaem (as a symbol of His Kingship), and his prayer in the garden of gethsemane. Gethsemane means olive press. Here, a familiar place where Jesus would have prayed during his trips to Jeruslaem Jesus was pressed in His grief--to the point of his sweat turning into blood. Here, in the garden, the angels attended to him as He prayed asking for God to let this cup pass--yet not my will but thy will be done. In Genesis, the dove returns so Noah with an olive branch as a sign that creation has come out from the flood waters and chaos. This time the Savior of the world (in whom all things were created) is attended by angels in an olive grove and soon he will demonstrate and proclaim to the world that creation has emerged from the waters of chaos and that life will swallow up death. 

In one day we traveled from manger to garden. Each of us considering how we've experienced Christ being born in us and our struggle to have the mind and spirit of Christ within us. 

Church of the Nativity

All nations, tribes and tongues are gathered in this place!

Waiting to take our turn and stoop down to touch/kneel before the grotto and place where Christ was born. 

Palestinian lunch

View from the Mt of Olives

We had many moments for prayer and reflection and silence today. We were lucky that the sites were mostly empty. I guess not every other pilgrim group is as used to the cold as were are. 

Allison Wegenhoft and Don Ratteree (father daughter enjoying this experience together)

Exterior of the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane. 

Garden of Gethsemane (olive press) where Jesus prayed. No doubt this was the place. Some of the trees date back to Jesus' day with the oldest dating almost 2,050 years old. Quite surreal to see snow on the ground there!