Then we drove into Bethlehem. The region around Bethlehem is inhabited by Palestinian Christians, the largest concentration of Christians in Israel. About 60,000 live in the area.
We went to the Church of the Navitiy, marking the spot where many Christians believe
Jesus was born:
Jesus was born:
It is impossible in a few words to describe Bethlehem. It is a city of contrasts - I'll leave it at that for now. We will be travelling back here on Monday but for now are back in Jerusalem.
Today we had a "free day" - our first day to do whatever we wanted to do. Several of us went to church at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer where the service was in both English and Arabic and included famiiar liturgy and songs ("What a Friend We Have in Jesus"). Then we walked just a few yards to the Chruch of the Holy Sepulcher, where five different services were going on at the same time, in five different areas of the church and five different languages. The chanting and music could be heard all over the church. It was a really powerful experience.
This afternoon, a classmate and I walked the "Rampart Walk," a walk along the top of a portion of the wall of the Old City section of Jerusalem. The view was stunning.
Eventually we ended up directly across the street from out hotel. That's the hotel behind me, the Golden Walls Hotel.
I also did some shopping today in the market in the Old City.
And later tonight took a stroll around the neighborhood outside our hotel. A bustle of activity:
Jerusalem is truly an amazing place. It has been a wonderful few days here. We go to the Temple Mount in the morning, then back to Bethlehem.
Shalom,
Lisa
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