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Those who live in the West have had a much greater focus on holy times such as Christmas and Easter, with much less emphasis on specific holy places. Yet, there is a desire among many Christians to "walk where Jesus walked" and to stand at archeological sites and geographical landmarks which make Bible stories come alive. Christians coming to the Holy Land also want to visit the churches commemorating events of importance in Jesus' life. The sites usually included in any tour are: Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity
The field of the shepherds
Nazareth, where Jesus grew up
The Sea of Galilee
The Mount of the Beatitudes
The Village of Capernaum
Mt. Tabor, the traditional location of the transfiguration
The Mount of Olives
Bethany, the home of Lazarus
The Old City of Jerusalem, where Jesus celebrated the Last Supper, was tried, crucified, buried, and rose again.There are interesting Old Testament sites to see as well as important Muslim and Jewish localities. The Living Stones In addition to seeing the "ancient stones," Christians should also visit the "living stones" of the Holy Land those people of faith who are the reminders of Christ's continuing presence in this land. When he lived here, Jesus walked through the countryside, keeping in contact with the people. He blessed the children, talked with everyday folk, healed the sick, ate with the dispossessed, and gave hope to the poor.
As Christian pilgrims walk these same lands, they can reclaim that part of their heritage by their contact with those who have been here so long. Rather than "running where Jesus walked" visitors can take time to learn from local Christians.
They can talk with people in the towns such as Bethlehem, Beit Sahour and Nazareth which have been traditionally Christian, as well as in smaller villages where churches serve the local people.
Christians can visit the social service institutions sponsored by the churches. Just as Jesus responded to the problems of the people, visitors today can listen to the dilemmas of the faithful and discover ways to join them in bringing peace and justice to a troubled land.The Cost of a Free Ticket It is not unusual for pastors and active lay people to be offered free trips to Israel in exchange for recruiting others to travel with them. The price of this subsidied ticket may be appealing (free) but the cost is actually very high. The schedule is preplanned and often unchangeable.The schedule keeps you "running where Jesus walked."Your guide may know little about Christianity, but you can seldom change a guide who has been assigned to you.The choice of sights may neglect your particular interests in favor of more general "tourist sites."There will be no or little time for you to visit other Christians, people-to-people, and hear of their concerns and needs.All day trips often are planned for Sundays, precluding an opportunity to worship at local churches with local Christians.The guide may "hijack" the group to shop at a particular store instead of spending the time where you want to go.Your hotel may be isolated, so you have little opportunity to see things on your own.And worst of all, you will miss the hospitality offered by local Christians, who long for contact with other believers and who desire your friendship.Who Are the Christians? The Middle East is the birthplace of Christianity and many Christians there can trace their ancestry to the churches of the apostles. Other churches are the result of historical and theological disputes among groups. Still other churches are the result of more recent immigration. But most Christians in the Holy Land have a long local history, dating back to the beginnings of Christianity.
From the fourth century on, Christian pilgrims came to visit the Holy Land and as time went by they came in increasing numbers. They were welcomed with hospitality by the historic Christian communities. Hospices were opened; ideas were exchanged, liturgies were enriched and the vision of Christianity was enlarged in the hearts and minds of both visitors and the residents of the land.
Today when Western Christians visit the Holy Land, they too often miss the opportunity to be welcomed by the descendents of these early Christians. They overlook possibilities of enriching their own understanding of the Christian heritage. They think they are visiting the Holy Land when often all they are doing is visiting the ancient stones of historic places.What Can You Do? If you are planning a trip to the Holy Land, be sure you contact your own denomination's Middle East office for help before you commit yourself to a tour.
If you have already signed up for a trip, work with your tour agency to modify the journey to include time for person-to-person meetings. Contact your denominational office or an ecumenical agency to help plan those alternatives.
If you prefer to email an alternative travel volunteer, who has helped hundreds of Christian pilgrims experience a more authentic tour of the Holy Land, contact us. We are not travel agent, nor do we compete with travel agents. Instead, we can refer you to books and videos which give an overview of the Holy Land and its people, and help you find a travel agency which offers more than a sightseeing trip to Israel and the West Bank.
What is the ideal journey, whether spiritually or physically? What does it mean to be a millennial traveler, pilgrim or seeker, especially in the Holy Land? How should the church relate to Israel? Join the "Holy Land 2000" discussion on our bulletin-board. Enter the Magi Forum... |
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where
millennial journeys begin™Your comments are welcome: feedback@jaygary.com Copyright © 1999 by Bimillennial Press. All rights reserved. If you find this site
helpful, please spread the word by linking to
us. URL: http://www.jaygary.com/starof2000/travel/h2welcom.htm Revised: June 1, 1999
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