Ayla Blair & Jasper Paul: November 9, 2019

Bethlehem

We woke up early the next morning and drove our bus into Jerusalem and directly over to Bethlehem. It is crazy how modernized everything is now. But it was still so very neat to see the city in its entirety. We walked through the town and had the chance to go into an old church which is built over what is believed to be one of the birth sites of Jesus. We learned that as people discover portions of the Holy Land, they want to claim it by building something over top of the spot.

One of our group members got the chance to go down into the cave to see it. She said that there were people of all nations and races down there worshiping and touching the part of the cave. She said that she felt so much overwhelming power that she was literally shaking on the way back up the steps. I don't know how you can deny the power of Jesus after feeling that!!

panoramic view of Jerusalem

Supposed cave that Jesus was born in

Original flooring in the church

Marble stone design that was built during a different era of the church

Posing on the streets of Bethlehem

Wood Carving in Bethlehem

We paid a visit to a wood carving store in Bethlehem. All of the items that are made are carved right from olive trees that were grown in Bethlehem. We had to purchase a few special items! And I was lucky enough to get to watch one of the talented men carve some of his masterpieces! We learned that there are three levels of carvings. The 3rd best is when a machine carves multiple replicas from the olive wood. The 2nd best is when a single carving is done by a man using a machine. The best is a hand carving right out of the wood. No other is like it and it is done all by hand. We searched the store and finally were satisfied with hand carved figures to use as a manger scene. We also bought christmas ornaments!

Look at the piles of wood from the olive trees!

2nd best type of carving - a man using a machine to make 1 individual carving - no other will be like it

3rd best type of carving - multiples being machine made

Such Talent!

The Shepherd's Field

Eli took us to a very private spot in the Shepherd's Field. This was a remote area that we could look down upon the field. Somewhere out there, Mary and Joseph crossed while coming back to Bethlehem for the census - and no one in the world argues this fact. The Shepherd's Field, however, is another disputed area that Mary gave birth to Jesus. We had time to sit in reflection at the field. We thought, we prayed, and we tried to imagine how Mary and Joseph may have felt while searching for a place to rest for the evening. Because so many people were in town for the census, there was no space to stay with family.

The Shepherd's Field

Herodium

Although King Herod was one of the most awful men to live - in my eyes - he sure built many breathtaking places! We walked all the way up to the top of Herodium and my mom was about to die! It was not funny...but I still remember her out of breath when we reached the top and worried about having to walk back down.

Herodium was part of Herod's get away plan in case he was ever overtaken. He chose this specific spot to build Herodium because his mother once fell out of a chariot while they were traveling by it. She lived and he was so happy that he chose this specific spot.

In order for King Herod to feel safe and know if anyone was every going to try to overtake him, he forced slaves to build up this mountain to twice its height.  It took the slaves over 4 years to raise Herodium to the height that he would be satisfied, but when it was finished, he was able to look out and see both Jerusalem and Bethlehem. He would know if anyone was coming to get him, and also give him time to flee.  Herodium is officially the highest point in the Judean Desert.

Herod died and was buried in Herodium in all of his jewels. Many tried to find his tomb because of this, but they all failed. Over time, the rock of his tomb was worn away and in 2007, a scientist by the name of Ehud Netzer discovered the tomb. He then began making a movie of the discovery, but he died before the finish of it due to a horrible fall he had at the site. He actually died at Herodium!

Getting ready to head to the top of Herodium!

This place actually took my breath away!!

Replica of Herodium

Covering over King Herod's discovered tomb

The Garden Tomb

Our last place to visit for the day was to the Garden Tomb. This is one of the disputed places that people believe Jesus was laid to rest in the tomb and then rose again 3 days later. When Jesus was crucified, he died and was then taken down from the cross and carried to his tomb. This location has a rock that looks like a skull described in the bible and a tomb nearby. We saw both.

Whether or not this is the actual place, you could absolutely feel the Holy Spirit among all of the visitors. We were given a private area to meditate, pray, and take communion before walking down to enter the tomb. There was another church at the tomb and they began signing a hymn. It was beautiful and extremely powerful. One woman actually began screaming and moaning during the song because she was so moved! I have seen something similar before at the great banquet. So I knew that this was the power of our Lord and Savior. I looked at this as a gift, although you could see that some other tourists were in a bit of shock!

Golgotha - meaning "skull" can be seen on the left of this photo.

Golgotha Today

It is said that Jesus laid in the tomb on the left...so overwhelming to be able to walk in and see this!

Jerusalem at Night

We checked in to our new hotel and then some of the group decided to talk a walk into Jerusalem. We were told that this would probably be the most intimate time in the city because it is extremely crowded during the day. If we went at night, we would also be able to walk the entire Via DoLorosa - the walk that Jesus took while carrying his own cross to his death. At the end of Via DoLorosa is another disputed spot of Jesus' death and resurrection - A church is now built over top of this place. The church holds the place of crucifixion, the tomb, and his resurrection.

Mom stayed back (I think Herodium took the last of her), but I went on! I had started a step challenge with two other group members by this time. And I also wanted every single experience on this trip possible!