Day 13: Bethlehem; Christmas Day Feast at the Casa Nova Pilgrim House!
Day 13 of Andy’s month-long ‘Spiritual Journey to Israel & Palestine was Christmas Day December 25th!
After a Christmas Eve Mass & lingering festivities until 3 AM my first picture on Christmas Day was not taken until 1:37 pm!
The Casa Nova Pilgrim House put on an amazing Christmas Buffet literally fit for Popes! Many Popes have come to celebrate Jesus and dine here in the very same banquet room with breath-taking views of Bethlehem.
The food was incredible!
After eating it was a quick Good-Bye to St. Catherine’s and the Nativity Churches and off to Checkpoint 300 by taxi. No lines, literally no inspection and back to Israel I went!
Bus 324 to the terminal outside the Damascus Gate of the Old City and it was time to explore some more and do a little souvenir shopping. The marketplace is open on Christmas in the Old City as for Jews and Muslims it is not a holiday. It was nice to get back into my Airbnb Jerusalem bed as my two days and one night in Bethlehem were exciting but tiring too!
Nearing the half-way point for the Spiritual Journey to Israel & Palestine so far it has been an amazing experience far, far beyond my expectations in terms of the biblical impact on me and how beautiful, warm and friendly these two countries and their peoples have been to me!
(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 40 Pics; 1-15-19)
Merry Christmas from Bethlehem, the birthplace of Our Lord & Savior! May the New Year be one of love, compassion, & mercy inwardly & outwardly, for you & me! TROML Baby (an exclamation of joy)!!!
(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 1 Pic; 12-25-18)
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