Jerusalem-First Day-Nazereth

As I was saying we got on a bus, it was air conditioned! We drove for 2 hours from the Port of Haifa on the coast of Israel. Our bus had 40 people on it and how do I remember that, well I was number 40! And Moishe our guide would count everyone when we were back on the bus from a stop and he would look at me or point at me and I would say 40, it was fun!

Our first stop was The Church of Annunciation in the town of Nazareth. This was the spot where Mary was told by the Angel Gabriel that she, a virgin, would give birth to Jesus, the Son of God.

Inside the church, on the lower level, contains the Grotto of Annunciation believed by many Christians to be the original childhood home of Mary. Whether it is or not, it is probably close. But just to be in the area where she lived was unbelievably wonderful!

Then we went to The Church of St Joseph, to honor Jesus earthly father. We do not know to much about Joseph really. He married Mary even though she was with child. Did they really fully understand what they were asked to do? Or did they learn as they went? I think it was the latter. They grew into their knowledge of their son Jesus.

Joseph took care of Jesus, that we know. Joseph protected Jesus when he took Mary and Jesus to Egypt when Herod was trying to find the Christ child to kill him, he brought him up as his child, and taught Him a trade, carpentry. A simple life but a precious responsibility.