Bethlehem, Palestine
The Seattle PI reports on the return of tourists to Bethlehem. I went to Bethlehem in the summer of 2004. It’s quite an adventure: taxi from Jerusalem to the heavily-armed checkpoint; Palestinian taxi to Manger Square, passing the security barrier and numerous bombed-out buildings; full-on Palestinian nationalism on display next to Jesus-kitsch.
The Church of the Nativity may not be the actual site of Christ’s birth, but the sense of history and pilgrimage is overwhelming. A star marks the spot of the nativity. Feeling a deep longing to fall on my knees, I followed the other pilgrims and knelt and kissed the star. In doing so, all the contents of my shirt-pocket spilled on the floor: camera, wallet, keys. You see, I love icons, pageantry, history, and arcane religiosity, but I’m a Mormon spaz who’d probably burn down the church if I lit a candle. Which is a shame, because Christmas gives me such Old Church Envy….
A Happy Christmas to all of you. Go sing some carols in an old, cold church. It’s wonderful.
(Recommended: Sahar’s post on living in Bethlehem)
I loved the feeling I got in the old churches in England at Christmas time. The unique way the English decorate the back of the church and their homes is great too!
Merry Christmas to you Ronan
Comment by Don — December 24, 2005 @ 1:26 pm
I really want to visit Jerusalem and Bethlehem sometime while we’re over here (in the UAE). Would you bring your children there if you had a chance? I’m a lot more worried about safety with my kids than I would be by myself. I think we’ll do it if we can, though.
No old, cold churches here. But we do have a Christmas Eve barbeque in the desert .
Merry Christmas!
Comment by Michelle Jordan — December 25, 2005 @ 12:40 am
Merry Christmas as well.
Comment by Stephen M (Ethesis) — December 25, 2005 @ 10:52 pm
Interesting, I was watching a history channel show just the other night talking about the other Bethlehem. It wounded very plausible to me.
I’m envious of your pilgrimage. Merry Christmas!
Comment by kristen j — December 26, 2005 @ 12:02 am
Merry Christmas Ronan. A fine memory and post. Thank you.
Comment by john f. — December 26, 2005 @ 12:38 am
Michelle,
I wouldn’t hesitate to take my kids to the Holy Land. Things are a lot better than they have been and anyway, if you were really going to play statistics, Israel was never that dangerous. Remember, the tourist sites are gold to both sides and as such have always been secure. Oh, and they love children. So go!
Comment by Ronan — December 26, 2005 @ 9:54 am