We spent one day with a guide touring some important sites in the West Bank. It is complicated to visit the West Bank from Israel because Israeli citizens are not allowed in some parts of it. This means that we were picked up at our hotel in Jerusalem by a driver, who delivered us to a drop-off point where we were met by our guide. The driver is not allowed in the West Bank, and the guide is not allowed in Israel, proper. They are employed by the same company and call each other friends. Things are complicated and inconvenient for both of them.
Our first destination was Jericho, the oldest walled city known to history.
We saw these guys on the way.
The old Jericho is in ruins, but there is a modern Jericho not far away. It is a thriving city. Dusty and rugged, but thriving nonetheless.
The most interesting thing in Jericho for us is the Mount of Temptation, the mountain (big hill?) where Jesus was tempted by Satan after fasting in the desert for forty days.
There is now a monastery on top of the hill, and many, many pilgrims walk up the steep road to the top.
We took the easy way, and rode up on the cable car. The walk from the cable car stop was still steep enough for us!
Even though the mount doesn’t look like it did when Jesus met Satan there, it was quite special to know that we were standing where our Lord first showed us that he would overcome Satan’s power over us.
Our next stop was Bethlehem. There we saw the Shepherds’ Field, where the angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds.
There is, as usual, a church on the site. Interestingly, the roof of the church is a dome with openings to remind us that the angels are always watching over us.
From the Shepherds’ Field, we went to the Church of the Nativity.
Here, we saw the places where Jesus is believed to have been born…
and where he was laid in the manger.
On our way back to the hotel, we saw this young shepherd walking his sheep through Bethlehem.
It was a full and meaningful day. We feel blessed to have been able to make this journey.
Wow! We loved your photos. It’s very cool to be able to see all those places we study. What a great day! We are praying for you, still. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.