The comment at the dinner table tonight was, "This was a great day. Every day is better than the one before." As a trip coordinator, I love hearing such a comment. It was a good day! Bethlehem is nothing like the Christmas card image we hold in our head. The Church of the Nativity is massive and cold. It is filled with symbolism unfamiliar to the western Christian, yet being there is somehow meaningful and reaffirming. The cave beneath the church that remembers Jesus' birth, feels more right, even if the huge structure over it does not. The heavy decorations within the church are interesting reminders that over the centuries Christians have felt the need to decorate this place, Jesus was, after all, homeless at birth.
Pilgrims continue to make their way there year after year giving witness to their faith.
A remaarkable present day witness and testimony to the power of faith in the one born in Bethlehem was given at our next stop, Bethlehem Bible Colege. Our host, Dr Bashira Awad, shared his story of great loss of father and home in the l948 war. As a Palestinian, he and his mother and 6 siblings were left with nothing. He was filled with hatred for Israel. He was blessed with a mother that taught forgiveness. Dr Awad is the founder and Principal of Bethlehem Bible College A school that trains students to be pastors, educators and guides to the holy sites. The school started with a gift of $20. No wonder Dr Awad speaks of a God that is Good.
His story had a wonderful affirmation as we drove along a stretch of the ugly and immoral wall that divides the West Bank from Israel. In the midst of all the graffiti on the wall is this declaration. It is true. The statment is both a hope and a dream of the Palestinians and we add our prayers to theirs that one day they will not live in an occupied territory.
Blessings,
Mary
