Wednesday, May 2 ~ Luke Hyder

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace…”

This beloved angelic message to the shepherds was the backdrop for the start of our day Wednesday, entered in and around Bethlehem.

Shepherds’ Field Church

Dome above the church letting light stream in.

We visited the “Shepherd’s Field” site in nearby Beir Sahour, at the heart of which is a church commemorating that moment of heavenly proclamation of the birth of Jesus. This visit included singing “Angels We Have Heard on High” in the small, circular, domed church (designed to imitate the shape of a Bedouin shepherd’s tent), viewing Byzantine ruins, and hearing a thought-provoking devotion from Howard Stoess reflecting on the Babel story, God’s gift of diversity, and yet our call to look forward with hope for ways to be unified in our diversity, despite whatever “mountains” of hostility or division we’ve put in our way.

Herodion

The day continued in the spirit of both the Babel story and the angelic message, as we drove out to the site of the Herodium, the towering mound of a summer palace (complete with lower palace, gardens, pools, and the stones of a later Byzantine community), of the infamous King Herod (who slaughtered the innocent children of Bethlehem for fear of the birth of Jesus), all long since in ruins just like the Tower of Babel. The setting provided panoramic views of the Judean wilderness, the countryside of the prophet Amos, and Palestinian villages and Jewish settlements interlaced with one another, the separation wall weaving between them like a concrete and metal tapeworm. One wonders and hopes what else God may need to tear down in order to bring “peace on earth” for the peoples of this land.

Victor Makari with us at International Center of Bethlehem (Diyar Consortium)

Next we returned to Bethlehem, to Christmas Lutheran Church where we had worshipped on Sunday, and met with Victor Makari, an Egyptian Christian, naturalized American, and fellow Presbyterian, who has served churches and our denomination across the globe for nearly 50 years, and is currently sharing in the outreach ministry of this church, with special focus on studying issues of religion and state in the Middle East. Dr. Makari shared with us about the outreach programs of the International enter of Bethlehem, which among many wonderful efforts has sports programs for women, and arts programs for youth. After hearing from Dr. Makari about his life and about these initiatives, the Center provided a delicious and plentiful Palestinian lunch.

My reflections come to a close as we approach the next stage of our journey today, a walk through the old city of Bethlehem to Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity. Before we toured the Church (or really, three churches), we had about an hour to explore the Manger Square area. Two of my colleagues, Charlie and Alan, and I went looking for an Olive Wood Factory, one of the places that the ubiquitous carved olive wood souvenirs are crafted. We found what we were looking for and more! We met {should I include his name, Jack Giacaman?} the friendly and gregarious proprietor of the “Christmas House” souvenir shop and factory, who graciously showed us around his workshop and store. He then regaled us for most of the remaining hour with heartfelt stories of his life, his family, and the contemporary experiences of his people, Palestinian Christians. I was reminded once again how this is the true sacred treasure we are seeking on this pilgrimage, the living stones of God’s people, living in this Holy Land, longing for “peace on earth.”

***Extra treat or extra credit: Click here for video of our not-quite-angelic but heartfelt rendition from the Shepherd’s Field Church.