Day 3 Bethlehem

The Manger

We then traveled by bus to Bethlehem, about 10km from the Old City, to see the birthplace of Christ.  At the Church of the Nativity all must enter through a small entrance called the Entrance of Humility.  Even the shortest among us had to bend down to enter.  It causes one to bow to God as you enter in.  (Our guide informed us that it also prevented people from riding into the church on their horses.)

The site of the birth of Christ is positioned below the altar area of the church, and as you descend the stairs you really do feel a sense of wonder about this place.  A silver star marks the place.  A few feet away is the manger hewn out of stone.  This special place draws many crowds and their is always a long line to view this holy site.

After we left the Church of the Nativity we gathered in the courtyard and spent some devotional time reading the account of Christ’s birth in the Gospel of Luke and singing, “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” scripture and song that is so familiar to all of us, but now heard through eyes that have seen this place firsthand.  

The Shepherds’ Hangout

We then went to The Shepherd’s Field where it is believed the angels appeared to the shepherds as they watched their flocks.  There is a church built upon the hill and you may be interested in knowing that the Canadian Government funded the building of it.  We are not sure why they did, but to prove it there is a carved stone on the front of the altar with a huge maple leaf and a dedication inscription.  This is the governmental equivalent of those engraved brass plates you see in our churches in Canada.

The hill, like many in this area has caves in it, and one of the caves that the shepherds would have used for shelter at night has been converted into a chapel.  Notice the black ceiling covered in soot from years of burning fires for warmth in the cave.  Tomorrow we head into the country of Jordan and see the sights there.