Christmas in July!

Bethlehem- What a special city this is! Only 5 miles South of Jerusalem it is in the infamous West Bank area, but it was one of my favorite places we have been so far!

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was , that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered .

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes , and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Under the Church of the Nativity there is a cavelike room that is traditionally believed to be the "manger". We were able to listen to Brother Huntsman read from Luke and then sing Away in the Manger. What a special Spirit was there in the place that is thought to be where Jesus Christ our Savior was born! 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field , keeping watch over their flock by night.

In a field similar to the one where the Shepherds were visited by the angel of the Lord. What an experience to sing Angel's We Have Heard on High! 9 And, lo , the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid .

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold , I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes , lying in a manger.

We ate lunch at "the tent restaurant" which served us a staple Israeli meal of wheat pitas with a bunch of different humus like sauces, BBQ meat and watermelon for dessert- delicious! The restaurant itself was open air and had a fun lounge like feel where we sat on couches and ripped pitas with our hands. Maybe something more like what Christ would have done?

What a joy it is to know that Jesus was born and he lived a perfect life, performed the atonement but also that "his life, which is central to all human history neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary" but that He lives! I am so grateful for him and to be here studying his life and coming to know him better. I know that along with studying, the way we come to know him is to be His hands here on the earth, to serve like he did and to love those around us. I am trying to remember that this week as I meet others from all different faiths and try to love them as Jesus would.

I love it here and am so blessed to be here in  a land that is loved by so many of different faiths there really is a special Spirit here.

Kenzi and I outside a Greek Orthodox church where they believe the Shepherds would have been when the angels came

                                                 

Shalom from the Holy Land!