More Pictures from Bruce

This is Dimitri Raheb. He is the pastor of the Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. A major portion of his ministry has been developing a vision for the Palistinian people that makes for positive change in overall human relations. He is an Arab Christian, and his family has been a part of the Christian tradition for as long as he can remember. He directs the International Center in the city of Bethlehem. It is an amazing ministry and he is a gifted person working for peace in the midst of terribly difficult situation. He does this by creating opportunities for education, employment, and marketable skills (and creative expression) in an economy that has been devistated by a miriad of circumstances.

We visited Bethlehem today. Upon entering the city, we are reminded of the separation that exsists in this land of the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel as well!) How one views this wall depends greatly upon your perspective. You can guess who sees it as protection and who views it as captivity.

Could these be the new weapons to wage peace?

One of the programs we learned about today is engaging the Palistinian People in using various forms of media, including art and documentary filmmaking as a way of telling their story and focusing the attention of the world on their situation. Paintings, glass work, and movies seem more conducive to peacemaking that guns and tanks...

This is the Traditional Site of the Nativity

it is in a cave below the main Altar in the Church.

The Church of the Nativity has been standing on this site, making it one of the oldest Christian shrines in the Holy Land. The Persians did not destroy the church when they conquered the land in the seventh century. Why? Because the mosaic representations included the "magi from the East". The Persians recognized themselves in the artwork, and spared the church.

This is the main Altar above the site of the Nativity