Bethlehem

A few weeks ago we look a field trip to Bethlehem!

It made me a little homesick being in Bethleham. I wanted my family to be there with me so badly. I have such good memories my Christmas with my family that it seemed strange not to celebrate Christmas in July with them in Bethlehem. {How do you guys feel about going to Israel for our next family vacation?}

Every Christmas Eve my family has a bundled into our warmest clothes and made our way to Heritage Park to watch the Nativity Pagent. I remeber as a child being totally mesmerized by the pagent, especially the angels who proclaim the birth of Jesus to the Shepherds. Even though I feel like I'm too old to be excited about the Nativity Pagent I still look forward to going on Christmas Eve, and spend most of the day waiting for evening to come so we can go. 

Bethlehem was not the Nativity Pagent that I have watched every Christmas. It is a town filled with tour buses, and gift shops, and old cars. It was also incredibly charming. When we were standing in Manger Square waiting  for our tour guide to come and take us into the Church of the Nativity our teacher told us about what the Square was like on Christmas Eve. He said that it was so filled with people it was nearly impossible to move. I love the idea of Christians from all around the world gathered in Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of Christ.

The Stars & Bucks Cafe

In church of the nativity was so crowded. Being in large crowds makes me feel super anxious, and being in Israel where the sun in very hot it takes the B.O factor of people to an entirely new level so in between some slow deep breaths I took lots of pictures to distract myself.

Me and Amy at the 12 ponied gold star that marks the place where Jesus was born and other scenes from the Church of the Nativity.

My fame also continued in Bethlehem.

Fun Fact: Everything here is covered in sesame seeds