Magi

Yesterday was our day in ... Bethlehem. There is just something about being there a few days before Christmas. It really does get you in the right perspective.


Our Palestinian bus had not quite arrived so our bus driver Yossi decided to have a little fun with us on our Israeli bus. We turned around and as there was a little turn about place just a place in the road where you can go in circles. Well he went around and around, faster and faster in that bus. It was like a Jerusalem roller coaster. Everyone screaming with delight as we had our mini-Nascar. Fun stuff.

We met our new guide and got on our new bus … well different bus. Our guide was very nice he had studied English and tourism. He was a very distinguished man. He was a beautiful Christian and had such a sweet spirit. The peace in the city was amazing. Pastor and others who had been there say they have never felt like this in Bethlehem. We proceeded to the Shepherd's field church. Our guide shared with us that not only was this the field of shepherds, it was also where Ruth and Boaz fell
in love. It was lovely they have added a new fountain for the "sheep" to drink at. We toured the caves that look so much like what Jesus would have been born in. We went into the church of angels which is a beautiful little church. The guide told us that the reason it had no windows was that the architect wanted only the light from the sky light to illuminate the room just as it must have been when the angels descended from heaven.


We gathered in the room and sang for a little while. How Tedious and Tasteless, O Come All Ye Faithful, Gentle Healer, Ave Maria. As I was singing, people began to fill the little church. After I was finished, people began to surround me and speak in different languages. Mari (my sister) called them my fan club. They were from Poland and their translator spoke for this one beautiful and elderly woman that said she had never felt in her heart what she was now feeling. She said that she had been in church most of her life, but had never wept until today. Mari said another man that I spoken to had just been standing in the corner weeping. Kathy saw one of the priests come in and worship. After I finished, he was the one who led the clapping with enthusiasm. One lady said I sang like an angel and I told her that we were
surrounded by them in that place.


We stopped and looked at the vista where you can see Herodian. God had woken me (Elizabeth) up early that morning and started talking to me about the Wise Men. He showed me that they were the first Gentiles to be invited to meet Jesus. And that when they came to Israel they came to find a prince and they went to the castle not the cave or barn. But when the found him they blessed him. We have come to bless!


Then we got our shop on in the Three Arches with the Catavati's. We had a "very" nice experience, but some cool things happened.

Michael's brother, Maher, came up to Brett and said, "You look very familiar" After speaking for a little while, they figured out where they had met before. When Brett and Erin lived in Nashville, Brett led worship at this particular church and Maher had visited there several times. The world just got a little smaller.


Another incredible occurrence was my mother's story. She shared with me that she had dreamed about this one lady in Michael's shop approximately every month since our last trip. Every time mom had the dream the lady was standing at a particular counter in the shop. Mom would wake up every time she had this dream and pray for this woman and for the people she loved. So when she saw the same lady at the same counter, she wondered if the lady would think she was completely crazy if she shared it with her, but it was worth the risk. With tears streaming down her face she came around the counter and just held on to mom and wept. She went around to everyone in the store and had mom tell the story again and again. Mom said to her I dream of you and I don't even know your name. She said her name was Mary. And mom said I have a Mari!! When I went to take her picture, Mary was laughing and saying she
hadn't prepared herself for a photo shoot that day. Mom turned to her and said you are more beautiful in person than in my dreams. We all laughed!


We ate at a great pizza place owned by Micheal's cousin and had a beautiful vista of the city. We left Bethlehem, and went to see the model of the Old City and then the Dead Sea Scrolls. Standing there looking at parchment that had been written over 2000 years ago and only found moments before Israel became a nation was like walking into a room where the history of a prophecy being fulfilled. It was amazing.


We had a great service. Pastor spoke on the Scripture "If my people". Speaking of what God says about this place and how important our response to him is. It was important to hear for this time. We finished our evening in a most delightful visit to Ben Yehudah Street for the most excellent waffle desert that you have ever had!