We started our visit to the Jerusalem area with a visit to Bethlehem where we had Mass at the beautiful little cave-chapel in the Franciscan site at Shepherds’ Field. We sang with the shepherds “Joy to the World” and read the Christmas story from Luke’s gospel.

There’s something about hearing that gospel there.

To get to the place we had to pass through the security wall and the Israeli checkpoint. When we left Bethlehem two young Israeli soldiers carrying guns boarded our bus at the checkpoint to take a look around.

Much building going on in the Bethlehem area. After Mass we headed for the ancient Church of the Nativity to visit the cave where tradition says Jesus was born. Long lines of people from many places waited to go down to the shrine. Here we are squeezed in with the Russians.

This is one of Christianity’s oldest churches. Renovations to the church are going on now, which I understand are being paid for by the Palestinian Authority. I found the baptismal fount which must go back at least to the 5^th century. They’re probably going to do something with it.

After all these holy things there was nothing left to do but shop, which we did in a Bethlehem store that carried a profusion of religious gifts. Their stock on the Dow went up considerably after our visit.

If you ever wondered about the difference between men and women. The men were all  outside the shop waiting; then the women came out with their treasures.

Then, a lunch at a new place near the state museum. Finally, a visit to the Holy Land map at the museum which features Jerusalem as it was shortly after the time of Jesus. We made our weary way to see the exhibit on the Dead Sea Scrolls at the museum and headed back to the hotel.