Jerusalem Day 8 (Christmas Eve)

Crossing into the West Bank looks a lot like the Berlin Wall...only less communist.

Once we got into the city was came across the Christmas parade. It consisted entirely of scout troops that all had drum bands. I think Dad was in a constant state of euphoria.

The square around the church of the nativity was packed with visitors and media vans. It was nice to see a huge christmas tree though.

Jessica and I broke away from the group for a little while and ran into the church of the nativity. The doorway really forces you to humble yourself...and your spine...to enter.

Jessica really liked this statue inside the church of the nativity.

We found our way behind the church of the nativity to the Milk Grotto where the nursing of Christ but his mother is celebrated. Apparently touching the walls in here is supposed to increase fertility. I wonder what nursing Connor will do...

When we caught back up to the group, the crowd was as big as ever.

We went with our group back into the church of the nativity and waited in a line to see the place where they say Christ was born. We had to stand in line for around 2 hours while the line was stopped so visiting dignitaries could visit the site.

This is the place.

When we came back outside they were clearing the city square for the midnight mass, so we decided to walk out to one of the "Shepherds Fields." The city is built on top of a hill that gives an impressive view of the surrounding area.

After about a 3-4 mile hike down from the city we found our way out to this field. We sang lots of Christmas songs both around the church built here and inside the church. It was a lot of fun!

Lucky for us, because we walked out to the shepherd's field we were no longer in a restricted area and the shuttle driver was able to drive out and pick us up. We were happy to get back to the center so we could sleep after a lot of walking.