Israel: Day Three

Well this morning started earlier than usual because today is the day we leave for Jerusalem. Luggage outside the hotel room door by 6:30 and then head to the elevator to wait. Waiting because it is Shabbat and the Jews are not allowed to push the elevator button, so it automatically opens at every floor. Ironically, while pushing the button is considered work they can take the stairs. In my desire to be healthy, I took the steps....okay, okay, in my impatience I took the steps ;) After breakfast we loaded on the bus to head for Nazareth.

Our first stop was the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. It is built over the original spring that was the water source for Biblical Nazareth. Church tradition holds to two possible locations for where the angel appeared to Mary. One tradition is that he appeared as she was getting water. The other is the cave where they lived.

Our second stop was the Roman Catholic Church of the Annunciation. It is built over the network of caves that they believe were the dwellings of the families from Nazareth during Jesus' time and they have venerated the one cave they believe was where the angel appeared to Mary. This is one of the most beautiful churches I've ever been in, and for me that includes so many of the ancient cathedrals of Europe. The walls of the upper church are all adorned with artwork depicting Mary sponsored by countries from all over the world. Last trip I took photos of everything. This trip I was able to bask in the holy. Im starting to think everyone needs to come to Israel twice!
From churches to the mountains, specifically the Mount of the Precipice where the people of Nazareth attempted to cast Jesus off the mountain after he told them the messianic prophecy was fulfilled in their sight. It has gorgeous views of Nazareth, Mount Tabor, and the surrounding valleys. The spirit of the rock climber that resided in me so long ago was stirring and i was finding myself wanting to climb down the cliffs. Sadly this also seems to be be the favorite party hangout for the local youth but the broken glass shards from the bottles sure do reflect beautifully in the sunlight
 Okay, next stop Meggido and the Valley of Jezreel, also known as the place of Armageddon.  Tel Meggido has been explored by archaeologists for more than a hundred years and they have discovered artifacts from thirty different civilizations. For the ancients cities were built around water sources, so as long as there is water they will continue to build cities, one on top of another. Ultimately that accumulation creates a Tel, in essence a man made hill created from the remains of the old cities. Some of the remains of Meggido date more than 4,000 years old. The most significant uncovered today are from the time of Solomon and Ahab. Meggido was one of Solomon's military strongholds, it was in essence his middle calvary cities as it is where he housed 450 chariots and their horses. They have uncovered the gates, some of the palace and some of the stables. During the reign of Ahab he made the fortress more secure by digging a deep hole down to the spring and then diverting it into the city. It enabled the residents to stay within the walls to draw their water. Perhaps one of the most fascinating ruins is a pagan altar used for sacrifice. It may even be one of the locations where Mannasah sacrificed Israelite children. In still a little confused why they would sacrifice children rather than teenagers ;) The tour of the ruins ended with lunch and now we are on the bus headed to Caesarea Maritime on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

Our first stop is the old aqueduct that brought freshwater to this beautiful coastal town. The ruins are just that ruins, architecturally fascinating, but eciplsed by the beauty of being on the beach! The water is cold but swimming pool clear. Shoes and socks come off pants legs roll up and in I wade. My mother is right behind but she gets distracted by shining things in the water and decided to collect shells for the twins. 
"Mom there is a drop off right in front of you."
"I know, I see it."
"Mom you're leaning over a bit far and your feet are sinking."
"Quit worrying, I will be okay!"
"Ok!"
"Oh, oh, oh, oh..."
"Keep moving, keep moving."
SPLASH!!!!
Needless to say The JoAnn can now tell everyone that she has gone for a swim in the Mediterranean Sea. We did manage to catch her enough that her electronics stayed dry.

From the aqueduct and the beach to the national park that is the ruins of Caesrea Maritime. 2,000 years ago this was one of the most thriving and exotic cities of Israel. One of the worlds earliest deepwater ports with a breakwater. For almost twelve hundred years it thrived at various levels, through the Jews, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Arabs and even the Crusaders, but when the Arabs took it back from the crusaders they razed the city and it would lie in ruins for 600 years. The temples, the palace, the amphitheater, the hippodrome, the shops, homes and harbor all gone until the mid-twentieth century when one man had a dream to rebuild this once great city. Today it is a blend of the ancient and the modern. The amphitheater has been excavated and restored to the point of being able to use it for performances. It can seat approximately 3,600 people and its acoustics are enhanced by the constant breeze blowing off the sea carrying the performance into the audience. The hippodrome has also been excavated as has much of the Crusaders fortress. You can also see the foundations of the palace all protected within this incredible national park.
That is our last historic stop of the day. We have an hour and a half bus ride to Jerusalem to our next hotel but we will be making a stop at the Nis'an brothers souveneir shop in Bethlehem. This will be our first trip through the wall and our first encounter with armed soldiers at the border. While the tension of the area has been mentioned this will be a dose of reality. We are never in danger but it is an acute window into the emotional strife of two people groups.

I have yet to figure out how to get pictures off my phone and onto this blog but I promise that I will update these posts with pictures when I get back to Kentucky. Y'all have a great day. Tomorrows post will include The Church of the Nativity and the Shepherds Fields.
Your brother in Christ,
Faron