When we visited Bethlehem, in the Palestinian Authority Territory in Israel, we were filled with excitement and also nervousness. Bethlehem was the birth place of Jesus Christ after all. As our Israeli tour guide explained to us, Bethlehem is under the Palestinian Authority Territory, therefore we are not in the jurisdiction of Israel. During our visit, we changed guides to a local Palestinian tour guide together with our Israeli guide which made us feel safe. We learnt too that the irony of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, actually happened in this much conflicted land between the Jews and Palestinians. We do not want to be political here but this is the truth. We saw it in the signs all over the Church of Nativity, the actual site of Jesus' birth in a manger inside an animal shelter cave. As you can see, the Church is very old as this was commissioned by Emperor Constantine in 327 AD right here at Bethlehem. It was also under renovations so we hardly saw the Byzantine splendour of the interiors. Let us reflect this Christmas Day, on the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Jesus brings peace to us and to the World.
Small entrance to the Church of Nativity so that the Muslims cannot ransack the place. It is also a symbol of entering the Church with humility.
Entrance to the former animal shelter cave where Jesus was born in a manger.
This Star symbolises the actual spot where Jesus was born in a manger.
Church of St. Catherine, is the Catholic Church beside the Church of Nativity (controlled by the Catholics and Greek Orthodox) where the Christmas Eve mass is held every year and broadcast around the World.
Manger Square is between the Church of Nativity and the Mosque of Omar.
We welcome you on your journey as we welcomed the Prince of Peace.
This Christmas, please pray for peace in Syria and for the Syrian people. Please take the time to donate to your Red Cross, Syria Crisis Fund.
This Christmas, please pray for peace in Syria and for the Syrian people. Please take the time to donate to your Red Cross, Syria Crisis Fund.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!
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