Bethlehem

We've been learning a lot about Christ's birth recently, not just from our New Testament class but also from our Ancient Near Eastern Studies class. Did you know that Christ was most likely born in a small cave (commonly used for animal shelters at the time) and laid in a manger carved from one large stone (most likely a water trough)? According to physical, historical, and scriptural evidences it's also likely that Christ was born in December of 4 BC.

Our Ancient Near Eastern Studies professor, Brother Chadwick, is a very intelligent and accomplished archaeologist and historian and has written several articles about the birth of Christ. The specific date and place of Christ's birth can only be speculated from the limited information we have with several assumptions filling in the gaps. It's been interesting to read and discuss Chadwick's logic as he pinpoints very specific dates and locations for key historical events. 

Well, we got to go to Bethlehem this past week and see what many recognize today as the birthplace of Christ.

Here we are in Manger Square! Behind us is the church that was built to honor the site. 

We went inside the church and worked our way towards the birthplace of Christ. There was a huge crowd of people that arrived right after us so we had to hold our own to get in there first!

Walking down the step towards the birthplace memorial.

You can see a silver star-like shape marking where Christ was born.

Not exactly how I'd imagined the birthplace of Christ but there was still a unique spirit there. I'd felt it before in Jerusalem at the Holy Sepulchre where they believe Christ's tomb is located. It's a spirit of reverence for a place declared holy. I could feel it in my chest as I approached the entrance and throughout the experience. 

After seeing Christ's birthplace we went and toured Saint Jerome's grotto. St. Jerome translated the bible from Hebrew to Latin. 

Here's our class in St. Jerome's grotto. 

We got to sing in the room where St. Jerome translated the Bible! 

After the grotto we went shopping and bought lots of nativities and ornaments. Then we had lunch...

It was delicious. And they served us Coke with pita and hummus so we were all pretty happy :)

And then we headed to the Shepherds' Fields. 

We arrived just before sunset and found a place in the rocks and grass to sit and have a Christmas program. We were in perfect place to be able to look out towards Bethlehem, over the fields where the shepherds likely saw "a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14 

With Kasdyn!

We sang every Christmas song in the hymn book and read the story of Christ's birth from the Bible. I was asked to sing O Holy Night near the end of the program. By the time I was supposed to sing it was really dark so I fumbled up to the front and took a moment to catch my breath. It was silent as I stood there except for the quiet, cool breeze blowing through the hills. I couldn't see anyone's faces but I could feel their undivided attention to the words of that powerful song as I sang them. I'm grateful I was able to share my testimony of Christ through song on that "cold winter's night" in the Shepherds' Fields near Bethlehem.

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Oh holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name

Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine