My Pilgrimage to Israel (2013) - Part Six

Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem (photo by James Stewart)

David told me that I would gain appreciation for the biblical concept of "the ascent to Jerusalem" during the bus ride from Qumran to Jerusalem.  He was right.  As we drove along the West Bank highway toward the city of Jerusalem, the nose of our bus pointed upward - and the engine groaned the entire way.  We were ascending to Jerusalem along the Judean Hills (desert hills not unlike those surrounding Jericho).  This ascent is also a foreshadowing of the coming ascent to the heavenly Jerusalem and also traces the ascent of Jesus to Jerusalem as he journeyed toward his crucifixion.   

During each leg of our trip to Israel, we would pause to read scripture that was related to the area we were visiting.  I had volunteered to read for the group as needed and was asked to read various passages from Psalms into a microphone as we drove up the incline toward Jerusalem.  While I sat in a small seat near our Palestinian bus driver, I had a perfect view through the massive windshield on this very sunny day.  Reading the Psalms seemed easy enough - until it wasn't.  As I finished the final passage, as if  exactly on queue, we rounded the mountain to see the city of Jerusalem appear on the hill ahead.  It was a breathtaking site and invokes one to wonder what Christ thought as he walked this path toward his crucifixion...we would have many more opportunities to reflect on his experience during the days ahead. 

 "I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The Lord watches over you - the Lord is you shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." - Psalm 121 (Song of Ascent)

Today, we would drive through Jerusalem into the once small village of Bethlehem - now a Palestinian city within the West Bank.  My perception of Bethlehem had always been that it was located far away from other cities and towns.  However,it sits only 2 or 3 miles outside of the large city of Jerusalem.  Again, the close proximity of these sites astounds me.  It is a perspective that is hard to have without physically experiencing it.

Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem (photo by James Stewart)

The Door of Humility

The first site we visited was the Church of the Nativity.  The original basilica built on this site was in 327 AD by Helena the mother of the Emperor Constantine (Helena was responsible for many of the sites we visited during the trip).  The original building was destroyed and another rebuilt on the same site in 565 AD.  There is significant evidence that this church sits upon the actual site on which Christ was born.

On a building this large, one would expect a grand entry.  However, the Door of Humility is a small door through which you have to stoop to enter.  This door is the main entrance.  Much like the act of being on one's knees during prayer has a positive effect, the act of stooping while entering such a place reflects our reverence.  As I walked through, I reached up to touch the doorway and paused in a moment of thanksgiving.

We entered the cave where Jesus was born where we stayed for a few minutes and contemplated the significance of the place.  Why did our really big God choose a small humble stable cave for the birth of his only son?  How significant is the fact that Jesus was not born in a palace?  What does God want us to learn from this?  Most followers of Christ believe that he wanted to reinforce that the true kingdom is not of this world, that his values are not the same as the world's and pride should have no place in a person's heart.  That God has a deep affection for the lowly and the least.   

The star on the floor marks the traditional location of Jesus' birth

After leaving the Church of the Nativity, we visited Shepherd's Field and Grotto.  You will recall that an angel appearing to the shepherds of the field in order to inform them of Jesus' birth.  This field may or may not be that same field but, it doesn't matter.  It is serene and was certainly a shepherd's field close to the birthplace of Jesus.  "An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But, the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will bring great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." - Luke 2:9-11

Shepherd's Field and Grotto - Bethlehem

To imagine that scene while visiting here might only be better at night - maybe on Christmas Eve.  We were again reminded that God chose the lowly when he chose shepherds to announce the coming of the Jesus.  Pride should have no place in a person's heart and the shepherds had nothing of which to be proud.  They were second-class citizens in their time.  While man had determined that a shepherd's testimony could not be consider valid in any court, God felt different about the idea of social status.  In fact, he allowed them to be witness to a most important event, the birth of the Lord.  They must have felt pretty good about their role and how God has a deep affection for the lowly and the least.

Next stop:  The Mount of Olives, Jerusalem