In the interest of Mother's health, we kept our outing on December 27 short, wanting to conserve her strength for our planned trip to Galilee and the North the rest of this week. But she was still very anxious to see the traditional spot of Jesus' baptism, so we made a quick trip down to Qasar al-Yahud, which is the new facility on the Israeli/Palestinian side opposite the more established site on in the Kingdom of Jordan (see my entry at the very bottom of the Jordan Fall 2011 page, at the end of Day 4).
The new (and somewhat controversial) baptismal site developed by Israel on the western bank of the Jordan
Looking across at the traditional baptismal site on the Jordanian side of the river
The Jordan River, rather muddy with winter rains
Helping Mother lean over to feel the water of the Jordan, somewhere near where Jesus was baptiszed
Lindsay touching the water
A sad reminder that the spot was developed in the middle of a military frontier zone.
After that, we drove through Jericho, stopping at Tel el-Sultan (the archaeological dig for Bronze Age and Old Testament Jericho; see earlier posts here and here), where she looked over into the tell and visited the market. She was having difficulty walking, and it was just not feasible to wheel her through the site. But she got to see it, and she had particular delight in seeing the "Zacchaeus Tree," a big sycamore tree that recalled the great incident in Luke 19:1-10.
The Zacchaeus Tree
We spent the rest of the afternoon at home in our apartment, much as we had Christmas Day and yesterday---relaxing, watching movies, and enjoying time together.
Before our final Advent celebration, we had our traditional Christmas Eve "picnic," a spread of fancy hors d'oeuvres. We then put on our Nativity play, which was written, as usual, by the children themselves. Some of my complaints about historical and biblical inaccuracies made it into the play as asides that have become jokes in the family. But it is all good fun, and Samuel LOVES it.
Samuel's final Christmas Eve checklist
Our Christmas Eve spread
Cheering Elaine for her efforts in a small kitchen with only Israeli and Arab grocery stores and markets
Mother and the narrator in our Nativity play
Samuel as the angel of the Annunciation, telling Mary the good news
Now telling Joseph about his role
Rachel as a soldier, announcing an unhistorical taxation
Loading the "donkey" for the trip
A mean, unhistorical and unbiblical innkeeper telling Mary and Joseph that there is no room in the katalyma, whatever that happened to be
"Rest now, Mary. You've done your part"
Shepherds abiding in their field by nigh
Shepherds "sore afraid"
The Angel of the Lord giving them the good tidings of great joy (sounds like a book title!)
Wise men arrive 12 days, or maybe 2 years, too early. Dad sends them away and says come back at Epiphany!
Rachel then lit the lamps of the Hanukkiah for the fifth night of Hanukkah (the Hanukkah menorah we bought here in Jerusalem actually uses small oil lamps, fitting for that holiday), and Samuel lit all the candles of our Advent wreath, including the central white Christ Candle. After a more serious reading of the Christmas story from Luke 2, we sang "Silent Night" together, followed by our new tradition, the sacrament hymn "Jesus, Once of Humble Birth." Samuel ASKED to say the prayer for Christmas Eve, and it was very sweet.
Checking off the final items!
The children (including grown-up Lindsay!) then piled into one room to watch Christmas videos until they were at last asleep. Mother had gone to bed in her apartment down the hall, and Elaine, exhausted from the day, had passed out in our room, so I had some sacred alone time with my music, candles, and thoughts on this special Christmas Eve. Some of my personal, solitary traditional listening: "Carol of the Birds" and "O Holy Night" with the King Singers and men of the Tabernacle Choir.
A sweet moment between Samuel and his oh-so-tired Momma
"Kids" piled in Samuel's room
Shedding a bit more light on the slumber party
What is is all about . . .
The children had us up bright and early at 5:00. In our family, it is not Christmas if it is not still dark, because the setting of a room lit only by Christmas lights and candles is magical.
It has been a wonderful Christmas for us. Our big turkey dinner still lies ahead and we hope to continue the Christmas spirit another 12 days and throughout the year. We hope that all of you have had a happy and blessed Christmas as well.
After that, we drove through Jericho, stopping at Tel el-Sultan (the archaeological dig for Bronze Age and Old Testament Jericho; see earlier posts here and here), where she looked over into the tell and visited the market. She was having difficulty walking, and it was just not feasible to wheel her through the site. But she got to see it, and she had particular delight in seeing the "Zacchaeus Tree," a big sycamore tree that recalled the great incident in Luke 19:1-10.
After that, we drove through Jericho, stopping at Tel el-Sultan (the archaeological dig for Bronze Age and Old Testament Jericho; see earlier posts here and here), where she looked over into the tell and visited the market. She was having difficulty walking, and it was just not feasible to wheel her through the site. But she got to see it, and she had particular delight in seeing the "Zacchaeus Tree," a big sycamore tree that recalled the great incident in Luke 19:1-10.
