This field trip was a little out of season. But, being a long time scouter, Christmas in July is not that foreign to me. In any case we first visited one of King Herod the Great’s many palaces. This one, called the Herodion, is a mountain. Yes, Herod took two hills, combined them into one large volcano looking thing, and made a huge fortress on top of it all. Its the tallest thing for miles. Herod even chose to be buried there. Pretty impressive.
Nearby, within sight even, is the now sprawling city of Bethlehem. It was smaller back when Christ was born but surely was still visible from this palace hill. Herod was probably not in that palace when the wise men came. He was old and insane when Christ was born. As he got older and older whatever disease wracked his body must have affected his mind as he started killing off random relatives. He killed at least three of his sons and his wife whom he dearly loved (I guess?). This is the crazy man who ordered the death of all male children in and around Bethlehem. Imagine being a mother whose infant now lay dead at your feet staring up at the volcano fortress that bore the name of the man who killed your child. They would have had the reminder on the horizon day and night where it remains even until this day.
These are just some wild dogs I was chasing through the valley near Bethlehem. It was in these woods and fields that David tended his flocks and killed the lion and the bear. I decided these were just dogs, not jackals, although its possible that they mixed. There was a puppy following the pack too but I don’t know if he was accepted or not.
Wandering through the valley stone structure were also clearly visible. These are the remnants of watchtowers built for the protection of flocks and crops. Think Ezekiel 33 and a number of the parables. They weren’t very big but offered a good view and a cool room inside the rest in. I do wonder to what degree they actually used them. 
More cool stuff in that valley. Caves, lots of them, in every direction. This is one good example that is clearly big enough to fit Mary, Joseph, the divine child and whatever animals were invited to be present. Just imagine the temple square Nativity nestled in this stable.
There on the hillside of this small valley we could see the steeples of the nativity square in Bethlehem. We visited the modern day interpretation some weeks ago, this was our chance to see what it once looked like. Sitting on the hillside we sang Christmas songs and preformed our own nativity. I, due mainly to a walking stick I picked up a few weeks ago, was chosen to be the shepherd. When we got the sheep under control and visited the manger I convinced Mary and Joseph to give me a photo op with the young king. I’m sure it will end up in his baby photo album.
The hills and plains of Judea are a rough dry country but carry a sense of peace. Even though we were separated from Bethlehem by the Israeli perimeter fence which was clearly visible the whole time; the town and country side still ring with a thousand Christmas anthems and a thousand times a thousand prayers centered on the famous native of that town.
In him there can be peace, even in the shadow of the Herodion, or the Israeli fence, or in the two thousand year-old cross which ended his life. Come unto Christ and there will be peace.
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