Bethlehem

I'm starting to think that my posts are getting boring (or maybe they have been boring all along), but if there is something that you guys want to hear about just let me know. 

Last week we went to Bethlehem. The Church of the Nativity is the place where it is believed that Jesus was born. Obviously there is no way of actually knowing, but it nice to have a place to commemorate the important event. The place is sort of like a cave (they call it a grotto) under the church. There is a star for the spot where Jesus was born and then there is a small marble room for the manger. In a Franciscan church that connects to the Church of the Nativity we sang a few Christmas hymns. Singing Silent Night there was a very special experience. 

Later in the day we went to a field on a hill outside of Bethlehem which sort of acted as our 'shepherd's field.' We continued to talk about the nativity and read the scriptural accounts there. We also sang the rest of the Christmas hymns that we did not sing earlier in the day. We were still in the field when the sun set which made for a nice experience. 

While in Bethlehem I bought two little Christmas ornaments. I thought it would be cool to have bought them in Bethlehem close to where it all happened. Last week I also bought an olive wood nativity. I glad to have made those two purchases.