Day 7: Bethlehem | Shepherd’s Field

Theme: The Nativity & Palm Sunday; the Agony in the Garden

This morning, our day began with a drive to the hills of Bethlehem! We visited Shepherd’s Field where we saw some of the caves that were typical of the stables of that time. The highlight of our time here was a visit to the traditional birthplace of Jesus in the Basilica of the Nativity. Here the Prince of Peace was born!

11AM Mass was celebrated at the Chapel of St. Jerome beneath the Basilica of the Nativity.

Following Mass, we stopped for lunch and then continued on our journey! We drove to the hill country of Juda into the town of Ein Karem. This is also known as the home of Elizabeth and Zachariah as well as the birthplace of John the Baptist. What a remarkable sight. We also had the opportunity to visit the Church of the Visitation which was of the most artistic in the Holy Land! Here we were also given some quiet time for meditation on the meeting between these two mothers, Mary and Elizabeth/

After lunch, drive to the hill country of Juda to the town of Ein Karem, home of Elizabeth and Zachariah and the birthplace of John the Baptist.  Visit the Church of the Visitation, one of the most artistic in the Holy Land. Time will be given for quiet meditation on the meeting between these two mothers, Mary and Elizabeth. 
Verses from the Magnificat are engraved on the columns of the church, and on the wall opposite, are ceramic tablets bearing verses from the Magnificat in forty-two different languages.

We ended our night with dinner and overnight at Ambassador Hotel in Jerusalem.