Bethlehem

I’m going back to Israel for the Christmas holidays. I think Christmas in Bethlehem would be amazing.. in current times, where commercialisation and greed have reduced Christmas to a holiday of materialism, it would be wonderful to see it celebrated as it was intended – a religious holiday – despite not being Christian myself.

I want to go here for christmas…

During the years of Ottoman control from 1517 on, custody of the Basilica was bitterly disputed between the Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches.

From 1831 to 1841 Palestine was under the rule of Muhammad Ali of Egypt. During this period the town suffered an earthquake as well as the destruction of the Muslim quarter by troops, apparently as a reprisal for a murder. In 1841, Bethlehem came under Ottoman rule once more, and so it remained until the end of the First World War and the imposition of the British Mandate of Palestine.
       

Since it was distinguished above every other city as the birth-place of “Him whose goings forth have been of old” (Micah 5:2), it was here that the birth of Christ was expected. Accordingly, the gospels (Luke 2:4 and Matthew 2:1) report that Jesus, whom they proclaim as the Messiah, was born in Bethlehem, although he grew up in Nazareth. Matthew reports that Herod had “all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under” killed when Jesus was born (Matt. 2:16, 18; Jer. 31:15). Jesus’ family escaped this fate for him, by fleeing to Egypt and then returning after Herod had died, shortly thereafter.
       

Bethlehem – in a little under a week – has become my favorite place in the world.

The tourism is improving over recent years (although still not good). The people are amazing – of course they also love American $$$ – and are very eager to tell their experiences and hopeful that we will share them back at home.

I am female and felt completely safe walking the streets and chatting with merchants, students, children, etc.

The hope that I feel that I have been given through the birthplace of Christ I have for the people of Bethlehem now as they continue to endure the occupation, looming Israeli settlements & travel restrictions. Sad but we must work for peace/justice.

Last Summer I visited Bethlehem as part of a business trip. The greater Bethlehem area comprises of three smaller towns – Beit Jala, Beit Sahour and Bethlehem.

As a town under occupation, the people are unable to leave without a passport. Queues at the checkpoints (for cars) last 3 hours+.

The old town is a network of narrow roads and tall buildings and churches leading towards the main square and the church of the Nativity. Everywhere there are empty shops selling trinkets to non-existant tourists.