We started the day outside Jerusalem and went to Herodium, a Judean fortress built by Herod and where Herod “moved a mountain” to celebrate a victorious battle against the Jews. The main reason for going here is the architecture, but a key secondary reason is to be able to see Bethlehem and Jerusalem from afar. It’s a hike, so only some of us ventured to make the hike.

Then we headed to Bethlehem for some time at the Church of the Nativity and St. Catherine’s, respectively a Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church, which are significant historical structures and where the famous Christmas services are held yearly.

We followed this with lunch at a Bedouin tent restaurant and a brief stop at Shepherd’s Fields. This location is unique and intriguing – were the shepherds nearby this location that night over 2 millennia ago?

We ended the day with Gethsemane and the Mt of Olives while also giving everyone the overview of where we had been the past few days and attempting to tie it all together. I’m grateful for this trip and group!

Tomorrow we head to the Jordan valley and Dead Sea region!