After a very good breakfast and taking opportunity to taunt the Welsh party just a little, we set off for Mount Zion, in order to view the Upper room, the site where traditionally Jesus and his disciples ate the last supper, and where the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit. Beneath it is a synagogue, where David is supposed to be buried. It was odd having to split up into male a female subgroups.
After this, we left for Bethlehem going to the Shepherds fields for Holy Communion conducted by Mike in one of the smaller caves there. We then visited the church, before going to the Bethlehem co-operative, where we all bought locally made souvenirs.
Lunch was eaten at the Bethlehem Arab Society for Resettlement, a hospital catering for all kinds of needs. We heard an inspiring talk by the deputy director and then there was the opportunity to buy souvenirs.
We then visited the church in manger square, queuing to see the reputed birth place of Jesus, and being hurried along the way by a very stroppy monk because there would be a service taking place upstairs. It’s hard to understand what part of the Christmas message this is intended to convey! But we went to a very quiet little chapel dedicated to St Jerome, and there heard the Christmas story, said a prayer and sang ‘O Little Town.’
The journey back through the checkpoint was long and laborious, but it gave a wayside salesman chance to sell us pashminas!
On our arrival back at the hotel, some of our number went for a walk into the old city. Then we enjoyed our last dinner at the Golden Walls, and retired, looking forward to he trip to Galilee tomorrow after church.
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