Bethlehem

Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem

December 24, 2019 by Exploretraveler.com 1 Comment

Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem

The Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem is where you will find the manger where Jesus was born. The natural limestone walls of this ancient cave were decorated during the Constantine period. How beautiful they must have been. During the Byzantine period the walls were covered with a beautiful marble. The entrance to the grotto is placed to the side of the manger out of respect for the place where Jesus was born. This simple, but elegant, Grotto of the Nativity first began to be a Holy Site in the Byzantine period. It was then that an altar was placed in the cave to remember the exact place where baby Jesus was born. It was at this time that The Grotto of the Nativity became a place set aside to remember the birth of the Messiah. It is still a place set aside to remember. What a special place it is!

Under the altar is a beautiful star. The inscription reads in Latin: “Hic de Virgine Maria Iesus Christus natus est. ” The translation of this inscription is: “In memory of the precise spot of the Nativity.” How amazing it is to see the very spot where the baby Jesus was born. Off toward the right of the altar is the location of the crib or manger where Mary laid the baby Jesus. What a special place! The simplistic beauty of the Grotto of the Nativity is amazing. What a beautiful remembrance of this special time in the history of mankind.

The Church Of The Nativity In Bethlehem Israel - A close up of a fire oven - Church of the Nativity — The Church Of The Nativity In Bethlehem Israel – A close up of a fire oven – Church of the Nativity

The Grotto of the Nativity is in very good condition and has been used for several purposes. In the front of the manger is a smaller altar where the Latin Mass has always been said. This altar is dedicated to the three kings who came to worship the Christ Child. The Grotto of the Nativity is a place of remembrance.

Over the years there has been some changes made to the manger due to natural wear and tear. The manger is not the exact original one. Alterations were made to the original manager because of the aging of the this holy relic.

In 1869 there was a fire in The Grotto of the Nativity. To prevent future fires, the marble walls were covered with asbestos. Under the asbestos covering are the original marble walls. On top of the asbestos are paintings done by different artists. The paintings are beautiful but are of limited value.

The Grotto of the Nativity is an important Holy Site that deserves to be on every itinerary. No Israel adventure or pilgrimage is complete without witnessing the place where Jesus was born. This was an unique and important period of history in the Holy Land. It is one that you will not want to miss. Take time to explore all of the many Holy Sites in the Bethlehem area. Once you have experienced these sites for yourself, nothing will ever be quite the same. You will never look at history in the same way. Bethlehem Village is where history comes alive. Yesterday becomes as today and today is an extension of yesterday. If you have never traveled to the Holy Land, make this the year that you set out on an Israel adventure.

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Middle East Adventure: Week One Jerusalem, Jericho, Sea of Galilee

May 12, 2018 by Exploretraveler.com 6 Comments

Middle East Adventure: Week One

Israel and Palestine Territories

Middle East adventures are looming in the days ahead. The explore1stage.wpengine.com team has left the comforts of home behind and anxiously arrive in Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv is a romantic sea port on the Mediterranean Sea, where the sun and the sea seamlessly meet. Tel Aviv is a modern city made up of several smaller communities. On arrival, we are met by representatives of Noah Tours and are escorted to Jaffa, where we spend a night relaxing at the Market House.

Noah Tours Ltd.
Communication Centre Neve Llan, Harvey Yehuda 90850
Office…..972-2-5666601
http://www.noahtours.com

Market House is an outstanding boutique hotel in old town Jaffa. The accommodations are excellent, service is suburb, and the morning buffet is outstanding. We were close to restaurants, and many interesting small shops. Market House is an uniquely modern hotel, complete with Wi Fi in the midst of charming antiquity.

The Market House Hotel
http://www.atlas.co.il/market-house-hotel-tel-aviv-israel/

Day 2 is off and running as we meet our tour guide, Elinoar Nitzani. Under her excellent guidance we begin our day in , the city that Herod The Great dedicated to Caesar Augustus more than 2000 years ago. Herod created the grandest city, next to Jerusalem, in all Palestine. It has a deep sea port, and the aqueduct, hippodrome and magnificent amphitheater remain standing today.

Leaving Caesarea we journey to Haifa, Israel’s third largest city. Haifa is one of the most beautiful cities in Israel and is home to the World Center of the Bahai Faith. In Haifa you find a mix of Synagogues, Mosques, Churches and an abundance of natural beauty.

Leaving Haifa, we journey on to Akko, also know as Acre. In Akko you can take a leisurely stroll along the walls of the city, which is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Akko dates back to the time of Pharaoh Thutmose III (1504-1450 BCE). In Akko you will find the charms of unique antiquity and unsurpassed beauty. Can you even dare to imagine the secrets that this ancient city, in the Middle East, guards to this day? Leaving Akko we complete our day in Tiberias, an amazing city on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

The Ron Beach Hotel is our home away from home for the next two nights. We have amazing accommodations with marvelous views of the Sea of Galilee from our balcony. Service is excellent and what a fantastic dinner and breakfast buffet. The foods of the Middle East are out of this world. They are unique to the area, nutritious, and amazing!

The Ron Beach Hotel

http://www.ronbeachhotel.com/

Day 3 and 4 begins with another outstanding buffet breakfast. Then, we get an early start on a trip to Jericho. Elinoar Nitzani, our Israelite guide, has set up our experience with a local guide, Mr. Samer Abu Shushei. The transfer goes smoothly and she waits for us just inside Israel. Not much remains of ancient Jericho today. Little beyond a few piles of rocks that archaeologists now tell us were once parts of towers, staircases and other structures are found in modern Jericho.

Those that are there date back at least 7,000 years. That in itself is amazing! The oldest stairs and wall in the world can be seen in Jericho. Here we see layers of 23 ancient civilizations. Many of these Middle East civilizations may be as old as 9,000 years. Nearby is the Spring of Elisha, or Sultan’s Spring, where the prophet sweetened the water. This story is recorded for us in 2 Kings, chapter 2. This is the source of water for the oasis and serves as drinking water for the community today. The water must be some of the best tasting water in the world!

There is also a cable car that will take you up to the Mountain of Temptation, where Satan offered Jesus the kingdoms of the world. It is a marvelous morning and Mr. Samer Abu Shushei provides excellent interpretative services. We then finish our day with Elinoar Nitzani visiting Tzfat, Banias, and the Golan Hights. The next morning we visit Nazzarth, Beit Shean, Qasr El Yahud (one of two possible baptismal sites) and finally the Mount of Olives.

It is one of Jerusalem’s highest points and we have fantastic views of the old city. We spend the next 4 nights at the Monteflore Boutique Hotel. Service and accommodations are excellent. A wonderful buffet breakfast is provided.

George I. Safar
972-(0)-59-715-7958
972-(0)-56-901-6484
https://www.jericho-cablecar.com

http://www.booking.com/hotel/il/montefiore.html

Day 5 we spend on a walking tour of the old city and make a visit to the Western Wall. When Rome destroyed the Temple in 70 B.E. only the Western wall was left intact. This is one of the Holiest sites in Jerusalem and the Middle East. We visit the Holy Sepulcher and end our day at the Yehuda Market. Yehuda Market is an amazing Middle East market. The next day we tour the New City, visit the Israel Museum, and the Shrine of the Book.

For me, I find the Shrine of the Book to be fantastic and was definitely the highlight of Day 6. We end our first week in the Middle East with a tour of Bethlehem. Bethlehem (Bet Lechem in Hebrew–House of Bread) is the burial place of Rachel and the birthplace of King David. Samuel anointed David as king of Israel in Bethlehem (see 1 Samuel 16:1-13.) King David’s ancestors, Ruth and Boaz, were married in Bethlehem. In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, we see that Jesus was also born in Bethlehem. (In Arabic it is called Bet Lahm—-House of Meat.) If only these streets in the Middle East could talk! What stories would they tell? It is a fantastic end to an amazing first week. It is spiritual! It is historical! It is an unique Middle East experience!

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http://www.noahtours.com

Church Of The ‪Nativity‬ In ‪Bethlehem‬

January 2, 2016 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Pilgrims Come To Say Thank You

The Church Of The ‪Nativity‬ in ‪Bethlehem‬ is the traditional place recognized by Christians the world over as the place where Jesus was born. The Church of the Nativity is built over the cave where it is believed that He was born and laid in a manger. Pilgrims come to say thank you to their King. They come in referance. They come to pray. They come to worship.

The History of the church of the Nativity

Luke 2:7 in the Greek Scriptures renders a slightly different understanding of this humble birth than the English versions. The Greek can also be understood as saying: “she laid him in a manger because they had no space in the room.” It was the custom at the time to build one room houses in front of a cave that was then used for stabling animals in the night and storage for the family. Thus Jesus would have been born in this manger in a cave or back room of an overflowing small house. Historical accounts less than a century after the birth of Jesus say that He was born in a cave. We have two historical accounts that give witness to this traditional understanding in the writings of Justin Martyr and the Protoevangelium of James. Both Justin Martyr and the Protoevangelium of James say Jesus was born in a cave. This is the traditional mindset and for this reason, The Church of the Nativity is built over the cave where Jesus was born.

In the early history of the Church of the Nativity we come across the first evidence for this traditional mindset in the year 160 AD in the writings of Justin Martyr. This was the beginning of this cave being a place of worship in the early Christian Community. In the writings of Origen and Eusebius, we also see this same line of thinking in the 3rd Century.

In the year 326, Constantine and his mother St. Helena set about building the first Church of the Nativity directly over the cave where Jesus was born. This original church was finished and dedicated on May 31, 339. The original church was built in an octagonal shape directly over the cave. A wide hole over the cave was made and surrounded by a railing. The faithful could gather above and look down on this Holy Site. Here they came to worship. They came to remember. They came to honor Jesus. In this way the cave where he was born was protected for future generations of pilgrims, while allowing current pilgrims the opportunity to worship their king.

Portions of the current floor mosaics are actually from this original church built by Constantine. They are beautiful and fragil. That is the only part of the first Church of the Nativity to be in use today.

St. Jerome was a saint known to have lived and worked in Bethlehem from around the year of 384 AD. It is interesting to note that he was buried in the cave directly beneath the Church of the Nativity also.

The original Church of the Nativity was destroyed in the year of 530 AD. Justinian then built the larger church that is in use today. This is the oldest church in the world to be in current use. The Church of the Nativity is beautiful. This ancient church is magnificent in detail. It is done in humble elegance. No Israel adventure is complete without a visit to this Holy Site.

If you haven’t yet done so, this is the time to make your travel plans. Back your bag and grab your passport. It is time for an Israel Adventure.

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Bethlehem And The Journey Of Faith

November 29, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Bethlehem And The Journey Of Faith

Bethlehem, a city of pilgrims. They come to renew their faith. A city where others discover their faith. And for others, it is the connection with history. In Bethlehem, history is alive. It is like the past is there today and today is a day so long ago. This is a rich city to explore. Within Bethlehem you will find the richness of faith and even some local folklore at the Milk Ghroto. Bethlehem is rich in Holy Sites. So join us as we explore Bethlehem, Israel.

You have arrived in the Holy Land and Bethlehem is your first stop. Bethlehem is a ancient and holy city. It’s most major Holy Site is The Church of The Nativity. The Church of The Nativity is located in the center of the ancient city of Bethlehem. It is revered world-wide as the birth place of Jesus. It is profoundly beautiful and very ornate. The gold with-in it’s walls shines and glimmers from the reflection of the light. Built in the year of 325 AD, it is one of the oldest churches in continuous use in the world. Queen Helena had the church constructed during the Byzantine Empire. Adjacent to the church is a Monastery built in the shape of a wooden cross. It is a simple building, peaceful without any frills. A beautiful garden is connected for prayer. It’s simplicity stands out when compared with it’s very famous and ornate neighbor. On the other side is the beautiful Church of St. Catherine.

The next stop is the Milk Grotto. It is here that the Virgin Mary took refuge with Baby Jesus during the slaughter of the innocent babies. In this grotto she found safety from the soldiers of Herod. It is also here that local folklore says that she spilled a drop of milk on the floor of the cave, turning the stone white. This is said to have created the chalky white stone. People from around the world who believe in the amazing fertility power of this stone, come here, to the Milk Grotto. They come to scrape a little of the stone and latter a mother to be consumes this fertility powder. This is thought to guarantee the fertility of the mother-to-be.

Not to be left out is the Old City of Bethlehem. It is located in the center of the modern city. Take a walk through the narrow streets of this ancient city. Stroll along the old cobblestone streets and narrow alleys. Enjoy the ancient ornamental stone houses that leap out from the past. Here the past is still alive as these ancient homes are current homes of many modern Bethlehemites. Continue on your walk down “Star Street” and you will come to the site of the Wells of King David.

King David’s Wells are located on King David street, just off Manger Square. In the square are three Great Cisterns marking the site where David’s army broke through enemy lines. The Philistine army was a formidable power but David’s army crashed through their lines to bring him water after the King prayed these famous words. “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem.” This historic site is a walk back into yesterday.

Just east of the city is the town of Beit Sahour. It is here that the shepherds watched over their sheep. Since ancient time, these fields have marked the spot where the shepherds saw the Star and followed it to the cave where Jesus was born. Access to this cave is through the Church of the Nativity. As you go downstairs below the sanctuary of the church, you will see this most Holy Site. This site is ran by the Roman Catholic Church. Be sure to see the ancient Byzantine stone mosaic that commemorates this site. Near by is the alternative site that is administered by the Greek Orthodox Church. There is a small Greek Orthodox Church on this site. The walls of the Greek Orthodox Church are home to many icons showing the lives of the saints.The Greek Orthodox Church has a fairy tale garden complete with beautiful Olive Trees that are over 2,000 years old. This garden is beautiful in it’s simplicity.

Herodium is a volcano-like hill that is located near the city of Ancient Bethlehem. It is here on top of Herodium, that King Herod the Great built his mighty fortress and beautiful palace. Herodium is almost a half mile above sea level. Archaeologists have found a site that is believed to be the burial site of King Herod the Great. This ancient fortress is more than 2,000 years old. The ancient fortress is a fascinating site to explore.

Another amazing treasure near Bethlehem, just to the east, is Mar Saba Greek Orthodox Monastery. Located in the middle of the desert, just east of the city, Mar Saba is an amazing place to visit. This is a Monastery cut out of rock and it is intriguing to explore. This is especially true for men who can actually visit the whole site. Due to the customs and restrictions of the Greek Orthodox faith, women are only able to enter a tower located just inside the entrance gate. This Monastery is currently in use, so respectful silence is preferred. Even with the restrictions for women, the view is amazing. It is one of the Ten Best Sites around Bethlehem and a valuable asset to any itinerary.

Bethlehem has three major museums within the modern city of Bethlehem. The International Nativity Museum of Bethlehem is one of the most complete museum showing cribs from around the world. It is the most complete collection in the world. Each crib is complete is with the history and culture of the it’s native country. This is an astonishing collection and will amaze you. This unique museum is located in the historical Salesian Convent and Monastery of Bethlehem. It is on the ground floor of the Salesian convent. The convent also runs Cremisan, a small vineyard of tasty grapes. It is located on the slopes of a nearby hill. It is a beautiful vineyard. Be sure to pick up a bottle of Cremisan’s wine. The wine is excellent and it will keep you in memory of your many adventures of Bethlehem.

Bad Museum for Olive Oil production can be found in the Old City of Bethlehem. The building that is home to the museum dates back to the 19th century. In the museum are many relics found in the area by archaeologists, as well as the complete process of making Olive Oil. You will also find the many uses that Olive Oil is used for highlighted. Some of these uses are cooking oil, lamp oil, medicine, food, soap, and cosmetics. It is a unique and educational museum.

The next unique museum is the Palestinian Heritage Center. It aims to preserve and promote Palestinian Cultural Heritage and art. The Palestinians of Bethlehem are well known for their beautiful embroidery. There is a small gift shop on site where you can buy fair trade items from the Palestinian artists around Bethlehem and the refugee camps near by. The woman in the different villages bring their best work to sell in the Heritage Center. It is an amazing place to explore and purchase native crafts of Bethlehem.

About 2 1/2 miles out of downtown Bethlehem is Al Khader Village. It is also called the Village of St. George. There you can visit the ancient Solomon Pools. These pools consists of three huge water cisterns made of local stone. These cisterns have provided water for the region for centuries. The water they give is extremely good. It tastes amazing. Adjacent to the pools is ,. Burak Castle is an Ottoman Turkish fortress. This castle dates to the 17th century. Also in downtown Al Khader Village is the Church of St. George. St. George is an Greek Orthodox Church. St. George is said to protect the Palestinian people of the Bethlehem area.

You will also want to make your last stop to see the wall that has been started around the Bethlehem area. There is a site where you can view the work of Banksy, an English graffiti artist. His work is know the world over. Much of his work is political in nature. One of his most famous works of graffiti is that of a Christmas tree surrounded by the security wall. Tourists from around the world come to view his work.

Whether you are coming to Bethlehem to discover your inner self, to expand your faith, make a Holy Pilgrimage, or to discover history, you will need more than a little time to explore the likes of this amazing city. This is a place with many intriguing sites. Here you will find living history. As you are wandering the different places in Bethlehem, take time for lunch. Their pita bread is beyond delicious. You will find many sidewalk cafes around the city. The food is awesome. The fruit and veggies are picked fresh each day. Make this the time you begin planning your Bethlehem adventure.

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