Jerusalem!

Jerusalem is a study of contradictions. It's holy and secular; modern and ancient. Three religions crash together and the result can be disastrous. It's a archaeologist's dream and a place of pilgrimage for many - including us. It would be hard to find a more fascinating place!

We spent most of today in Jerusalem. Our day started early at the Temple Mount. It's where the Jewish Temple stood until it was destroyed in 70 AD by the Romans. Today the Muslim Dome of the Rock stands on that site. The Temple Mount is a great example of the tension between religions -- this site is holy to two religions and each would like to exclusively have it! Police presence is heavy in that area and there are strict rules on how to act and what to wear.

We then spent some time exploring the Rabbinic Tunnels and seeing the amazing excavations that have taken place!!

Special to many of us today was a visit to the Western Wall. This was one of the retaining walls built around the Temple and is the only wall left. It was overwhelming and fascinating. We got the chance to lay our hands on the wall and pray as so many others were doing. Some of us wrote prayers to leave at the wall. The prayers of the masses were palpable!

We next got on the bus and headed to Herodium. This was another of Herod the Great's palaces. It almost seems like "another day, another palace of Herod's." This palace has been well excavated and was beautiful in its day. It had a swimming pool (Herod did like his swimming pools!) and mosaic floors. Everything was, as usual, built on a grand scale. His motto could have been "go big or go home!"

Once again Pastor Gordon talked to us about what was important -- our stuff or our relationship with Jesus? An interesting fact: you can see Bethlehem from Herodian. Jesus was born practically in the shadow of this grand palace. He was born into poverty. Herod was the posterchild for opulence, but which endured? All of Herod's palaces are in ruin and Jesus is the King of Kings!!

Speaking of Jesus being born in Bethlehem, we headed there next. We visited the Church of the Nativity which was built over, what they believe is, the cave where Jesus was born. The church is always decorated for Christmas! Our Palestinian Christian guide gave us a good tour. The highlight was singing Silent Night together!

It was a good day! We even got to go shopping! Some of us are on olive wood overload. We walked five miles today and went up and down countless steps. We definitely earned our dessert tonight.

Tomorrow is another busy day in Jerusalem! We're looking forward to it!

Shalom!