St. Paul UCC Church Spends the Day in the Bethlehem Area

The group from St. Paul UCC spent their first full day visiting biblical sites around
Bethlehem.  The greater Bethlehem area is made up of three towns: Beit Jala, Bethlehem and Beit Sahour.

First on the itinerary was a visit to the threshing floor.  Bethlehem means "house of bread."  With barley and wheat fields abounding in the area, threshing floors were needed for processing grain. 

Here the group remembered Naomi, Ruth and Boaz.  Their stories are found in the Book of Ruth.

The rest of the day was spent visiting the Herodion, Shepherds' Field and the Church of the Nativity.  The discussion was around the three kings: David, Herod the Great, and Jesus the Prince of Peace.  Each king had his own idea of power.  While each still hold their place in history. it is the story of Jesus that continues to transform humankind and gives joy to the world.