There is Always Hope

Today we traveled over to Bethlehem which is technically in Palestinian territory.  We were confronted with an immediate shift in setting after crossing the border.  Upon approach, there was a large blank concrete wall and I wasn't for sure exactly what to expect on the other side. Graffiti. The Palestinian side of the wall was covered in graffiti. Some of the most beautiful graffiti I've ever seen, but also very disturbing.  Conflicting political and societal messages overlapped one another and the bus was driving so fast I kinda felt like Alice in Wonderland sailing through a tunnel of pictures and phrases flashing by. There was a sign that read "Thank you for coming to Bethlehem , We welcome you as you just as we did the savior. Pray for the freedom of Palestine." You see, there's two sides to every story.  We asked the cheerful tour guide who had attended a Bible college, how we could help the Palestinian Christian people.  He answered quite abruptly, "Send them over to tour like you guys did." Economics was not our question, but it seemed a topic best not discussed with this man at that exact moment.
During our tour I was able to touch the exact spot where Jesus was born.  Often we're unable to know for certain the precise location of things associated with Jesus, but the birthplace is a for certain spot. It was a really beautiful moment as our whole group gathered together and sang "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" and " "O Come all Ye Faithful"  It was a real powerful moment.
We'd begun the day discussing the political situation of Israel and meeting with the Mayor Deputy of Jerusalem.  We ended the day with the Israeli Museum where I was able to see the actual Dead Sea Scrolls (which I spent a ton of time studying last semester.) There was more to the day of course, but this will have to suffice. There is a saying in the  Jewish culture describing the Shabbot dinner that says "It's a time of just being, after a long week of becoming."  And that, I believe, I'm going to  apply to this day right now at this very moment. Time for an early retirement and a peaceful nights rest!