This period marks my transition from Old Testament Study to New Testament Study. As such our first field trip was to Bethlehem and came with a new professor in Brother Huntsman (whose blog I'm sure will feature more pictures including me). This field trip began with a trip to the Herodian a fortress tower near Bethlehem. We ascended to the top through Cisterns cut from its first usage as well as during the Bar Kokhba revolt (against rome). It's possible that this is the site that Herod met with the wise men (perhaps Nabotean Zorianastranists). From the highest point you can see Jerusalem, the dead sea, and Bethlehem. I learned at the time that Herod killed the children in an attempt to kill Christ it is suspected he killed perhaps 20 children. At the Herodian was found the defaced tomb of Herod (it was destroyed in large measure by Jews some time after his death). The structure itself is circular with four additional towers intermixed at four places lying on the edge of the circle. The center had rooms for dining (which later was a synagog) and Herod's residence among other structures.
Next we stopped at the Bethlehem University - as we approached students were playing basketball. We were shown a video highlighting some of the history of the place and were shown the catholic brother's chapel inside as well much of the campus. Very nice atmosphere I thought - it was a nice campus. It's curriculum as I heard is very much like our college system. We had lunch in a tent restaraunt which served as an appetizer as all places seem to - hot pita bread with many many dippings.
Next was the actual Bethlehem tour. During this excursion we met up with an the former palestinian teacher who lead us in a rather quick tour of the city including Star St (the Star is the symbol of choice for this town). We entered a plaza where you could see the Omar Mosque (palm trees adorned the front as their belief matches Jesus' birth near a palm tree) as well as the longest continuously running church in existence the "Church of the Nativity" So named as it was local tradition that Jesus was born in a cave right there even before the church was built in 327 AD (with some earlier writers hinting at the type of place it would be even before that). To be honest before I came here I was filled with confusion as to where and what exactly the circumstances would be as to Christs birth. I had heard there were some supposed 3 sites claiming to be the place - and believe me I am the first to put into my mind the question as to really whether all these 'traditional' places really are the places. Nevertheless I think it a excellent possibility - nigh unto convincing - that this cave was the place (Bro Huntsman pointed out that inn could be translated as guest house - and that Joseph was then at his own or a relatives house - the cave then was for privacy). Also at the site were graves supposed to be for the children Herod killed. And this was the site of a very early translator of the bible, St Jerome, who lived in the cave while translating in order to be closer to the Lord. We sang hymns in that section of the cave. I rather enjoyed going this way in to the greater part of the cave (there is a Pilgrimage destination in the Grotto Star which was pointed out by the Catholics to be the place of Christs actual birth)
The next and final section of our tour was a trip to a semi rock hillside which is near and very much like the shepherd's hillside when they heard the angels announced the birth of Christ. We sang perhaps 7 hymns of Christmas and then had some contemplative time. I stood there and took in the scene. There was a valley right in front of us, the ground was about 40 % visible rock, there were buildings on the other side of the valley probably a city, to our right Bethlehem, and at the base of the valley to our left another village. I could see three towers with green lights emanating from the top - a Muslim belief has green as the color of heaven. A half moon clearly visible and the stars were speckled - I bet during the shepherd's day the stars were much more brilliant. Oh yeah and during our singing a herd of sheep lead by an Arab on a donkey flocked by - Oh how fitting.
Well I hope you had a good read - Love ya!
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