Where It All Started

Bethlehem, Israel, October, 2013.

Entrance to the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, Israel, October, 2013.  This portal was purposely short and narrow so men on horses could not enter.

Part of the church's original floor tiles are exposed with glass built into the present floor.

The Middle Eastern influence can be seen in the many gold lanterns, crystals, chains, and glass globes.  The entire church was undergoing extensive renovation.  This leads to the main altar.

This photo was taken in near darkness.  My camera was set for low light.  We couldn't even see what the paintings depicted until we were nearly on top of them.  Directly beneath the paintings is a door leading to a side altar.

Magnificent icon of the Birth of Jesus on the wall of the side altar.

The exact place where Jesus was born.  We were permitted to briefly touch or kiss this space on the floor.

The Church of the Nativity was built by Emperor Constantine's mother, St. Helen, in the fourth century over the place revered by the early Christians where Jesus was born.  Here, the original rafters, which are hand-hewn,  are being braced.

Before I left on my Pilgrimage to the Holy Land of Israel, friends who had been there told me, "This will change your life.  You will see."  They were right!  The person of Jesus is much more real to me now.  To be able to see the land where He lived, feel the heat, experience the narrow passages of the Old City of Jerusalem, to stroll through the beautiful Garden of Gethsemane - it was all wonderful!  I was fearful that I would experience "Art Overload," seeing so many beautiful paintings, sculptures, and buildings, that I wouldn't appreciate them.  I was wrong.  I seemed to relish each and every one.  It was a deeply spiritual experience.  If you haven't been to Israel, make every effort to get there someday. You will never regret it.

I have a song in my heart today:

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday, dear Jesus,
Happy Birthday to you!

May this song stay in my heart and yours all day!