Christmas in July

Once a semester, the BYU students get to go into the West Bank to go to Bethlehem for a field trip.  This time I went with them.  Along with Manger Square and Shepherd's Field we went to the Herodian, and a few other churches.

The Herodian (or 'The Herod Place)
The Herodian was one of Herod's palaces which also included his tomb, this palace lays right outside of Bethlehem, and it is a possible site of where Herod told the Wise men where the Messiah was born.


From Right to left: Camila, Juan, Me, Ann-Marie, Jerica

Boys and Girls separated in an old synagogue

The entrance to the Basilica of the Nativity

In the caves underneath St. Catherine's Church
Being able to sing in the Caves underneath St. Catherine's Church was a wonderful experiences, these caves were separated from the traditional spot of the birth of Jesus only by a wall that was build only a few centuries ago, but the cave we were singing in was just as likely the spot of the birth of Christ.


In the Basilica of the Nativity

The line wasn't nearly as long as on Christmas Eve, but it still took a while to get through it
Me at the entrance underneath the Alter to the traditional spot of Jesus' birth

The 14-pointed star on the traditional spot of Jesus' birth


The traditional spot of the manger

The geniuses that carefully avoided plagiarism

Lunch at 'The Tent Restaurant'  Left to Right:  Me, Luke, Susan, John, Shelly, Pres. Schafer

Shepherd's field


There's five students named Rachel in the program, so every once in a while, we like to take a 'Rachel Pic' :)   Left to Right: Rachel Miner, Rachel Edwards, Rachel Ely, Rachel Macky, Rachel Messick, Rachel Hunts

This field trip has definitely been one of my favorites, it was interesting, enjoyable, and I was able to feel the spirit very strongly.

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