Following Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient days.  Micah 5:2

For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

This morning we set off, on foot, for Bethlehem, the birth place of the Lord, he who is called Prince of Peace. But first we had to pass through “the Wall” as Bethlehem and much of the West Bank is divided now this part of the world is divided by not only the wall, but religion, and mistrust. Once through the wall our next hassle were the taxi drivers! They didn’t think we were capable of walking or was it they just wanted our money?!

And while this was sad our thoughts turned to Bethlehem and the journey of Mary and Joseph to the town of David. And finally, after an hour, we arrived passing through another wall, the ancient gate of the town.

The Church of the Nativity was packed with people and noisy but we still found a space to sit and reflect and read the gospel accounts. We visited the church a couple of times, getting to the grotto just as the church was closing.

Crossing Manger Square to the Church of the Nativity

The site of the manger... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt amongst us

After visiting the church we looked up Bassem, a Catholic Palestinian whose family left Bethlehem in 1988. He returned to Bethlehem 8 months ago to run the family business. Leona had visited his parents in Auckland and as it happened he was just hanging up from speaking to his father. He was delighted to have visitors from home and he was just so hospitable. He gave us a great tour of the factory explaining how the olive wood is carved into the various religious items they make.

Bassem explaining about the age of the wood, and what can be used and what can't

Leona and Bassem

We then had a look over Bethlehem from the roof of the factory and a visit to the local Catholic cemetery. It was truly a fascinating and informative time. Bassem was truly an inspiring young man with a generous heart and spirit. AND, if you are coming this way, let us know, and we’ll send instructions how to get to his place!

And we will live for evermore because of Christmas day... and it happened here at Bethlehem

Next door to Bassem’s factory is the Church of the Milk Grotto… which remembers Mary nursing the child Jesus as mother before they fled to Egypt. Unlike the Church of the Nativity this church was very peaceful and quiet.

The bronze door of the Milk Grotto church

After having a late lunch with Bassem we traced our steps back to Tantur and through the wall and the various checkpoints… it is all so sad.

One of the newest Israeli settlements on the West Bank...