Day 7 was focused on Bethlehem, but first because of scheduling we visited the Israel Museum.
Israel museum
I love museums, so a trip like this highlights the point that your time on a group tour is not entirely your own. I could have spent all day at the Israel Museum (and the adjacent Bible Lands Museum). Since most normal folks don’t want to spend so much time in museums, we looked at two major exhibits: the 20:1 model of first century Jerusalem and the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Great Isaiah Scroll, one of the Dead Sea Scrolls. We arrived before the museum opened to the public, which was very nice. I thanked God for meticulously preserving the Bible for us today.
In this photo we can see the city of David (the finger-like extension) and the Southern Steps (where the dual gates are on the side of the temple complex).
Herodium
This is another of King Herod’s fortress/palaces. The curious thing about this location is its proximity to Bethlehem. So we have the would be king, the one who needed to keep his throne by power, contrasted against the lowly but real king in a manger just a few miles away.
People don’t come to Israel, seeking Herod, but we are confronted with him everywhere. Conversely, Jesus is the one who we come seeking and still must be sought out every day.
The good news is, He’s never far away.
Church of the Nativity
The Church was founded in the Byzantine period by Queen Helena, the mother of Constantine. It’s the oldest continuously functioning church on Earth.
We read several verses that spoke of Jesus in increasing detail:
- Genesis 3:14-15; Earliest hope of mankind
- Isaiah 7:10-14; Immanuel immediate and far reaching implications
- Isaiah 9:1-7; central promise- battle imagery
- Isaiah 11:1-5; branch; more details
- Micah 5:1-4; details after details
- Luke 2:1-7; this happened right here.
We arrived late in the day so we visited the main levels and learned about the history of the church, but we did not go down to the location of the traditional birthplace. I would have liked to see it but it’s a good reminder that we don’t come here to venerate sites, we are here to draw near to Jesus.
After the church, some friends of the ministry leaders and tour guides hosted our group for a traditional Palestinian dinner. Armenian Christmas is actually January 19 so manger square still has Christmas decorations.
Contrary to the fear and hate the media tries to sell us, many Palestinians and Jews get along fine and are good friends. This is Ronan, our Jewish guide with his Palestinian friend in Bethlehem.
Western Wall
When we got back to our hotel, four of us went to the Western Wall to pray. The Wall is very cool at night.