After what seems like a rather short drive, we pull up to another more quiet location in Bethlehem, still in the city but where you can look out to more uninhabited areas in the Judean wilderness. There is a large park and it is very nice. You can look out over some valleys with furrowed slopes from sheep grazing from the same footpaths over the centuries from here. There are paths through this park and a large center that is paved and has some very nice planted flowers. We are led to what looks like a cave and asked to go in and find a place to sit.
It is low (everything is low in antiquity) and the ceiling is black with centuries of soot. There is a chiseled stone bench around the circumference of the cave which is where I head to bent over double or risk getting sooty from rubbing up against the ceiling. The rest of the cave has folding chairs. It all fills up quickly.
We sing in this low cave which provides outstanding acoustics for our acapella worship. The passages from Luke's gospel the second chapter and verses eight through fifteen are read. Looking out the opening of the cave (which no doubt has served as a sheep pen over the centuries) onto the hillside before us and thinking this is where that passage of scripture took place is again amazing in connecting the scriptures to reality in my understanding. It is a powerful moment.
This is where the angels announced to the shepherds the birth of Jesus. This is very interesting. First, I had no idea that the location of this announcement was known, I assumed that it was a location that was unknowable but in the general areas around Bethlehem. Apparently it has been identified as this particular location. It seems likely enough, sheep still graze here on this rather steep hillside just on the outskirts of Bethlehem. Second, I am surprised how close this location is to the Church of the Nativity. In my mind I kind of saw the shepherds having to walk a long ways to Bethlehem to find the "babe wrapped in swaddling clothes." As I remember, it might be less than an hour's walk back to the church of the Nativity.
We are once again told that we only have a few minutes before we must be on the bus and off to our next destination. Really? We have more to see? As we begin our way back we pass some fascinating archaeological features which almost casually we are told is the place where Boaz would have ground his gain. There is no time to stop and take this information in. This is really the field of Boaz? Yes. These are his grinding mills and yes, they date back to his time.
I am stunned. Why are we not stopping and talking more about this? I snap a few quick pictures as I am pulled away to board a bus. I almost can't stand it. I want to think. This is where Ruth found favor with Boaz? This is the place that was close to the house of Naomi when she returned from Moab? The field of Boaz was the same field of the shepherds? I have so many thoughts and so many questions but there is no time. I would have so rather spent the gift shop time here than at the gift shop. On we must go.
We board the buses. Our attention is drawn to the two mountains in the distance. The one on the right is called "The Herodium".
Herod was not only a very evil and ruthless ruler, but he was also very powerful and feared. And rich. And an egomaniac. And a narcissist. Pretty much all the evil adjectives of a bad person who is in power apply to Herod. We were told things about his debauchery that are not fit to print. ANYWAY, he was concerned that when he died that no one would build a fitting monument to him since he was so disliked (he apparently knew of his unpopularity). So, he decided that he would have a mountain built as his tomb. Yes, an existing mountain would not do, he would have one built to his satisfaction. So the mountain on the left was used as the building material for the Herodium. if you "google" "Herodium" you will get some great pictures.
So, with thousands of slaves and many years, Herod's tomb was constructed. He was actually buried there as a recent archaeological discovery has confirmed. For many years this was in doubt. Cut and paste this link to your browser for a great article on the Herodium:
article: http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/archaeology/herods-tomb/
Unfortunately, the main archaeologist on the Herodium was recently showing a university class some of the recent diggings and fell through a scaffolding and died of his injuries.
We drive up on the Herodium but since it is late in the day we do not even get out of the buses. There wasn't much to see in the parking lot except for back views of Bethlehem and more of the Judean wilderness.
Dr. Wave Nunally talked on the idea that Jesus may have been referring to the Herodium when He taught on even a small amount of faith being able to "cast mountains into the sea" as a sort of object lesson.
The whine of the diesel engines increase as we head down the Herodium. We are headed back to our hotels now. I was glad that the end of the day with the Shepherd's Field and Boaz's Field sort of redeemed our time in my mind of this short trip into Bethlehem, but I again don't much care for the Palestinian areas of Israel. Back through the infamous "wall" separating Jewish controlled Israel from Palestinian controlled Israel and it is not long before we are pulling in to our tiny bus parking lot at the Jerusalem Ramada.
Indiana Jolie and I soon head down to our dining area. We are joined by our Superintendent and his wife and not long after our General Superintendent and his wife. I chuckle to myself about having dinner with our General Superintendent. He is a busy and important person but on holiday like us and apparently gets hungry too. We have a very nice time visiting around the dinner table.
It has been a long and somewhat physically demanding day. I take a nice hot shower, make some notes in my journal and turn in for the night. Tomorrow will be interesting in an entirely different way.
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