Day 3--"Away In The Manger" Bethlehem, this is not

This morning is Bethlehem.  A real culture shift.  First, we are now in Palestine, not Israel.  Indeed, our guide, Jonathan, who, next week, is guiding one of the "C's" from Paypal/LinkIn, (by helicopter, no less), can't join us because he is an Israeli, not a Palestinian.

If you understand the Golan Heights, West Bank and Gaza Strip better than me, then don't check out this website.  If you really want to become educated, as I did, spend some time looking at this article.  It is excellent and understandable.

Hebrew, Arabic and English instructions at the border

Our bus driver, who is Jewish, has special privileges to drive into the West Bank, he drops us off in Bethlehem for our morning with our Muslim guide.  We begin at The Shepherd's Field.  A simple location for us to look out over the area to consider what the shepherds had to work with 2000 years ago and the caves they used to shelter their flocks.  Lots of dry land and no water.  Tough being a shepherd and a sheep back then, as it is now.

Two things to notice.  First, the poor shepherds and their flock in the middle and, we were told,
their failed attempt at farming in this area.  Secondly, the road at the top of the picture is
the separation of State of Israel and the West Bank, what you don't see is the
electrified barbed wire fence along the road.

We then move on to The Church of the Nativity and Manger Square.  The church was completed in 339AD, destroyed by fires during the Samaritan revolts in the 6th century, but rebuilt in 565AD by Byzantine Emperor Justinian.  And, here it stands today.  Due to its age and use, it is in constant need of repair and remodeling, and they were at it today.  But, in spite of the wear and tear, it is very impressive.

Since we were 'guided' we got to head to the front of the line to take the stairs down to the 'actual birthplace of Jesus'. Quotes for two reasons, 1) stairs.....the 60 foot rule, 2) not sure if this was the actual rock Baby Jesus was born on, or not, (neither is anyone else).  Someone made a decision 1700 years ago and built this orthodox synagogue over it.

Interesting, while we were looking at the spot, (not venerating, as many do), a rather charismatic gal threw her arms up in joy/exuberance and hit an oil lamp hanging from the ceiling.  A bit of panic with oil and flames all around us.  But, someone got a napkin, cleaned it up as she shuffled away. 

This is it, where Baby Jesus was born.  Lots of bowing and kissing from the
devout.  I got this picture between venerators.

Also, behind us is a small 6 by 6 foot pit with the/a manger in it.  I had to get a picture of that too.  We waited for a workman to tidy it up a bit before Gloria and I could drop two steps in to take our picture.  While we waited I tried to get a few pictures of the manger, not sure if a crowd would beat us into the little pit.   After I got several good shots, he finished his work, grabbed the 'manger' and left.  What!  Then, I realized I was getting perfect pictures of his toolbox, the manger was on the right.  It was bigger than I expected.

This is where they keep the manger.  Not behind the pole in the middle,
(that is the toolbox), rather the item on the right.

Now, Manger Square.  Briefly this square is very popular on Christmas Eve, duh!  What is interesting is Catholics celebrate a midnight Christmas Mass on December 25 and Orthodox celebrate on January 7!

Finally, a little levity to finish this blog.  We hit the Holocaust Museum tomorrow.

Only on the West Bank\