Bringing our A-game to Bethlehem

     The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem was a bit intense today, and not entirely for spiritual reasons.

    There was a church group from Ecuador waiting in line behind us inside of the Sanctuary. They were a very friendly bunch, and had a much easier time fitting through the church entrance than I did. They were all no bigger than 5-3, and fascinated by my height.

     We were all nice and chatty with our Latin American friends for the first 45 minutes of the wait, but as it drew near to closing time for the grotto, things got a little pushy. These little 5-3 men and women transformed into defensive linemen, pressing down upon us as we descended a steep set of stairs.

     My training as a basketball player came in handy, as I boxed them out and kept them from cutting in line. And before it was all said and done, our team from Pennsylvania and Texas made safe passage to the holy site.

     They meant no harm. They were just a little anxious to see the site, I guess. It was a comical sidebar to a very meaningful afternoon.

     In other news, it did snow in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. It hasn't snowed here in three years, according to Schmoolik, our bus driver.
     Incredible to experience snow in Jerusalem. There was much excitement in the hotel this morning.

     Finally, we spent a good hour or two bonding as a group. We each had an opportunity to share our stories, as we continue to develop new friendships with each other. As it turns out, we have five English teachers (current or retired) in our group and about four church musicians. There are four Presbyterian congregations represented on this trip and one congregation from the Brethren in Christ tradition.

     You can tell that the Holy Spirit is at work among us.

     Praise the Lord!

     

Sure enough, it snowed in Jerusalem,
and even into the afternoon in Bethlehem.
Amy and I pause to document the occasion.

Our crew creeps slowly down the steps and into the cave
to see the purported site where Jesus was born. A crowd presses
in behind us.

Entrance to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem,
about 4 feet high by 2 1/2 feet wide.

A panoramic view of Bethlehem.