The tourists scrambled up the hillside to the caves above Bethlehem.  The smell, was indeed, powerful.  Purity and Bea could not help but think about the thousands of years and thousands of lives that this cave had witnessed.

Purity looked up.  The moon was rising, even though it was daytime. This year, there would be a full moon on Christmas Eve.  Everything was coming into place.  She could feel the magic of this place pulsing through her.

“How old do you think Mary was when she gave birth to Jesus?” asked Bea.

“Probably about fifteen.  Her marriage with Joseph was arranged as was the custom of the time.”

“I’m fifteen!” Said Bea.

Purity did not give into the urge to act annoyed at her sister.  She was still astonished at the bravery of such a young woman. “She must have been so afraid,” said Purity.  “Having a baby in this dirty cave.” The girls kept looking at their surroundings.  It was hard to believe that their heavenly King had been born in such a place.

Bea kept thinking about a sign she had seen in a Christmas store recently :

“Yes, women can make things go a bit easier if they choose to act wisely,” Bea whispered to herself. “Three wise women sure would have helped Mary that night.” Bea resolved that she dearly wanted someday to be known as a wise woman.

After a few more minutes of looking around, the tour group got into a small bus to take them into Bethlehem.

The closer to the city they got, the clearer it was that they were leaving one country and entering another.

“Bethlehem belongs to the Palestinians,” explained Jeremiah.  “They consider themselves “occupied” or taken over by Israel.  That’s why all the political signs.  They feel racially discriminated against. But we must go through this check point to get to the Church of the Nativity.  Just do what people tell you, be very respectful and STAY with your big sister.”

“I’m not arguing with that!” said Bea.  Purity nodded in agreement.

As the officials checked their travel documents, Purity and Bea watched and listened.  They both noticed that respect looks different in different places.  Here, they must keep their heads covered (respect to God) and not show too much skin.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=LLvW-wY0sJLr8AfeyXjleeaA&params=OAFIAVgB&v=-YQ31abENtc&mode=NORMAL#

Once they made it through the check point, Purity and Bea let out a sigh of relief.

“Remember, the Romans were occupying Judea (Israel) at the time of Jesus.  Joseph had to make this trip to Bethlehem because he had to be counted in a census.  If he had not shown up, he would have probably been put in prison by the Romans.

“So the Israelis are like the Romans?” asked Bea tentatively.

“Well the Palestians probably feel that way.  The Israelis have a different point of view.  They are trying to go back to their homeland and preserve their traditions.  In the end, I think that’s what everyone: Palestians, Israelis, French, Africans, Chinese etc… that’s all we all want.”

“All this political talk makes me hungry.  What do they have to eat around here?” asked Purity.

“Probably not pizza.  Come on, let’s find something to eat,” said Prudy.

They walked into the colorful market place and started to make their way to Manger Square.  As they walked, they heard all kinds of different languages: Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish. Paris had been amazing in that it had been a dream come true for the girls.  This place was both frightening and exciting.  Thank goodness they were with Prudy!  They knew Prudy had studied Hebrew, so she could translate simple phrases like “please and thank you.”

Prudy looked around for a place to eat that would satisfy the girls.

“How does chicken, bread and salad sound?” asked Prudy.

“Great!” The girls said in unison.  They turned into an establishment called Habeeb Shawarma.  The girls got very quiet.  So Prudy explained.

They cook the meat: chicken, beef, lamb or veal.  They cut it in thin strips.  Then, they build it onto a big skewer.  They stack it high and press it together.  When they are ready to make the meal, the cooks shave off pieces and put it on a plate with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers.  The pita bread is real good too!  Especially when you dip it in hummus.”

The girls watched as the cooks made someone else’s’ lunch.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B8NaLedW_YE#

After watching the cooks, the girls saw someone order French Fries.

“Can we get French Fries?!”

“Who do you think you are hanging out with? Of course we can get French Fries!  Purity, you want hot tea?”

“Yes, thanks!”

” Bea, I’m sure they have juice or something sweet for you.”