“The truth is that Bethlehem, the ‘little town’ venerated during Christmas, is one of the most contentious places on Earth.” – Michael Finkel

Part 1: Church of the Nativity – a typical shopping mall the day before Christmas experience.

It was not a peaceful place and nothing like the scene I imagined the day that Christ was born. With the huge lines, people pushing their way forward, I now understand where the hustles and bustles of the Christmas holidays come from nowadays.

Joke aside, we actually thoroughly googled everything we need to know about the Church. How it has survived 14 centuries of conquests by Persians, Byzantines, Muslims, Crusaders, Ottomans, Jordanians, Brits and Israelis. How the front door was lowered and how everything is magically planned by our God.

After nearly an hour waiting and emerging ourselves from all the pilgrims from around the world, we were excited to see the actual birthplace of our Lord. When we were in the cave, I was wondering maybe the waiting, the hustles and bustles is part of God’s plan, to teach us how to quiet ourselves in the midst of chaos.

Part 2: How ironic that the birthplace of the Prince of Peace is in fact a veritable prison.

We planned to leave Bethlehem before 6:00pm, with the huge line and few detours on our first stop, we only have an hour and bit. Without hesitation, we took the cab to the Separation wall and Banksy’s Graffiti work.

Yes you read number of articles about the wall but nothing like you were truely there. I just feel sad. A Palestinian born within the city limits has the mathematical possibility of never being able to legally live the city. Bethlehem does not just feel like a prison, it is a prison! I truely puzzled this time, is this a part of God’s plan?

Part 3: Walking toward the check point

I am fairly sure the alley towards the check point is safe but I am sacred especially only two of us walking on the street while others either taking private vehicles or buses and some palestine peddler yelling “你好”.

Some unlucky ones have been thoroughly checked and inspected by soldiers like the older couple in front of us. When we were cleared and passed the check point, just in time bus 234 is right there. I feel safe and relieved but the sadness kept lingering in my mind until now.