We are finally on Day 4 of our Israel Pilgrimage. Personally, this day is very significant to me and all of us who are in the group because we will be entering Jerusalem on the eve of Christmas. I'm so happy to be spending Christmas on the land where it all began. Do check out my post: Israel Travel Itinerary for more travel tips and inspirations.
Harod Spring (Ein Harod)
This site is located in the shadow of Mount Gilboa. This is the site where Gideon chose 300 warriors based on their drinking method and went on to defeat the Midianite army (Judges 7:1-5)
We did a sharing of the Word and fellowship at Ein Harod as well as reenact how Gideon chose his 300 men. My husband's name is Gideon so in the reenactment he filled the role of non-other than Gideon in the Bible. Haha.
Beit 'Abara (The Jordan River)
Beit 'Abara is the place where Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13-17). This event took place very close to where Joshua (Joshua 3), Elijah, and Elisha (2 Kings 2:6-8, 13-15) crossed the large loop in the Jordan River opposite the ancient city of Jericho. In the New Testament times, it became known as Bethany, the village of John the Baptist.
To find out more about this site check out my post: Beit 'Araba (The Jordan River).
Wadi Qelt
This is a deep gorge in the Judean Wilderness that runs from Jerusalem down to Jericho. The setting could very likely be the place mentioned in Psalm 23 as the "valley of the shadow of death".
Some of the biblical events that could have occurred here are David's flight from his son Absalom (2 Samuel 15-16), Zedekiah's flight from the Babylonians (2 Kings 25:4), the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), and Jesus' travels from Jericho to Jerusalem (Luke 19:28).
To find out more check out my post: The Valley of the Shadow of Death (Wadi Qelt).
We are finally entering Jerusalem. Woohoo!
See that cone-shaped mountain in the background? That's Herod's tomb.
Finally, it's time for lunch. We went for lunch at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum cafeteria.
This is the last site we've visited on Day 4. We are not allowed to take pictures of the site as a rule. We were given an hour to check the museum out. My husband couldn't stand what he saw there so he'd decided to wait for me outside while I was heartbroken and couldn't stop the tears from falling from my eyes. I don't want to say much about this topic because I know it's very controversial but for me what these people have gone through is very painful. :(
Yad Vashem is a big museum shape like a big Toblerone (in my own words). Visitors are guided by a route that takes them through underground galleries.
It's turning dark. Time to check-in to our hotel in Jerusalem and celebrate Christmas with the group complete with the exchange of gifts. :)
Some of the biblical events that could have occurred here are David's flight from his son Absalom (2 Samuel 15-16), Zedekiah's flight from the Babylonians (2 Kings 25:4), the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), and Jesus' travels from Jericho to Jerusalem (Luke 19:28).
To find out more check out my post: The Valley of the Shadow of Death (Wadi Qelt).
We are finally entering Jerusalem. Woohoo!
Haas Promenade
This panoramic view offers a sweeping view of Jerusalem city from the south.
During our visit to the site, there are also groups of Israel's elite military forces visiting. Aaahh! With the military's elite forces visiting we are secured from left to right. Hehe!
I've learned from our tour guide that apart from military training they received they are also taught about the history of the land and its people. Wow! This is the first of its kind. We'll base on what I know. :)
I've learned from our tour guide that apart from military training they received they are also taught about the history of the land and its people. Wow! This is the first of its kind. We'll base on what I know. :)
The Shepherd's Field (View)
This is an area east of Bethlehem, believed to be where the angels appeared to the shepherds in the field and announced the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:8-10). Several churches were built in this area to commemorate the event. You can still see local shepherds tending flocks here. Nearby is a fertile plain called the Field of Ruth.
See that cone-shaped mountain in the background? That's Herod's tomb.
Bethlehem (View)
Bethlehem is translated as "House of Bread" in Hebrew. It is a city in the West Bank where many significant events in the Bible occurred. Believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, Bethlehem is also where David was born and where the tomb of Jacob's beloved wife Rachel can be found. The city is home to one of the largest Palestinian Christian communities in the Middle East and special arrangements have to be made to enter this city.
From where we are standing to get a view of Shepherd's Field we also caught glimpses of Bethlehem from afar.
From where we are standing to get a view of Shepherd's Field we also caught glimpses of Bethlehem from afar.
Finally, it's time for lunch. We went for lunch at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum cafeteria.
Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum
This museum commemorates the Holocaust of the European Jewry perpetrated by the Nazis before World War II.
This is the last site we've visited on Day 4. We are not allowed to take pictures of the site as a rule. We were given an hour to check the museum out. My husband couldn't stand what he saw there so he'd decided to wait for me outside while I was heartbroken and couldn't stop the tears from falling from my eyes. I don't want to say much about this topic because I know it's very controversial but for me what these people have gone through is very painful. :(
Yad Vashem is a big museum shape like a big Toblerone (in my own words). Visitors are guided by a route that takes them through underground galleries.
It's turning dark. Time to check-in to our hotel in Jerusalem and celebrate Christmas with the group complete with the exchange of gifts. :)