Another Bethlehem?

Another Bethlehem? Maybe because it was such a nice pace after the dusty, crowded streets of Nazareth at noonday, maybe because it was significantly cooler, maybe it was the idyllic trees and rolling hills surrounding a suburban neighborhood, maybe it was the Templar church turned synagogue with couples having their wedding pictures taken as a backdrop. In any case, Bethlehem of the Galilee has my vote as Joseph’s actual home town where he took Mary, rather than the one further south near Jerusalem. Read/hear more about it on NPR
https://www.npr.org/…/dig-finds-evidence-of-pre-jesus-bethl…

As for Nazareth, I’ll just say, thank you, Jesus, I know how to drive. Google calls some tight alleys “streets” to drive on but they go up steep hills, around blind turns between centuries’ old buildings and wind through active markets. Not a scratch on the rental. Learning to drive in Miami taught me a thing or two. Needless to say, no pics.

Once parked, no small feat and oriented, I did get to pray extensively in the Basilica of the Annunciation, thought of you here Sr Kate Kuenstler!

Also a lovely find just around the corner from the Basilica, the Mary of Nazareth International Center. It’s over an excavation site and hosts multi media events for groups. The Chapel of Unity there has an AMAZING fresco of the Holy Family done like Rublev’s Trinity. The views from their roof top garden are also magnificent and a great way to get oriented. Jean-Claud was a gracious host to show me around.

Back in Tiberias tonight. I can hear the Shabbat chanting of 100 men from a nearby synagogue; a long and loud shofar proclaiming sabbath time is upon us, God’s rest time. As the sun sets over the hills of the Sea of Galilee, Shabbat Shalom.

Pics and more here….