Hiking the Nativity Trail Once Again

Two thousand years after the historic journey of Joseph and Mary, the modern city of Bethlehem is announcing the reopening of the Nativity Trail. Originally inaugurated in 1999, the walking trail has been modified to suit new changes on the ground. The trail promises to provide unique meeting opportunities for hikers, who will converse with the Franciscan priests on Mount Tabor, meet Muslim clerics at village mosques, visit Greek Orthodox monks in desert monasteries, chat with hillside farmers and their families, experience Bedouin shepherds watering their flocks at ancient cisterns and much more. It also promises to be an opportunity to better understand the geopolitical situation in the Holy Land and experiencing it first hand. The Nativity Trail isn’t just a hike, but an experience in dialogue, openness and understanding. Participants will also learn about the regions flora and fauna, much of which is discussed in the Bible and to embrace the cultural heritage of the regions people.

Tours are available during the following dates:

Mar 12, 2009 –Mar 23, 2009
Apr 23, 2009 – May 4, 2009
Oct 8, 2009 – Oct 19, 2009
Oct 29, 2009 – Nov 9, 2009
Nov 12, 2009 – Nov 23, 2009
Dec 13, 2009- Dec 24, 2009 (Christmas Trail)

For more information about the trail, please contact the Alternative Tourism Group of the Siraj Center for Holy Land studies. www.sirajcenter.org or atg.ps

Christmas Events in Bethlehem

This years Christmas tourism theme for Bethlehem is known as "Shepherds Nights". It will occur on two evenings, December 24th and December 25th, 2008. Events are to include the following:

The First night, 24 Dec 2008: Palestinian art consisting of music, folkloric dances, highlights of local theater groups, marching bands, art exhibits, other artistic expressions. The location is suggested to be the YMCA grounds in Beit Sahour. There will special performances for children, and vendors who will be selling handcrafts and food.

The Second day, 25 Dec 2008: Tourists and locals can make home visits to impoverished areas to bring the Christmas spirit to the needy etc. Afternoon programs to include Children’s program and Christmas Carols. In the evening, a “Candle Light Procession” from Shepherds Field. The candle procession for this year will be titled “Light a Candle for the Land of the Shepherds"

First Night: December 24

16:30 - 18.-- Christmas Eve service at the Cave

18:00 -18:50 - Children's Show (Alhara Theatre)

19:00 - 20:10-Rim Al Banna

20:20 - 20:40-Al Ghad Al Haded Dabka

20:50-21:20 Christmas Carols

21:30-21:50-Kazar Dabka

22:00-22:30-Said Zarzar

Second Night: December 25

16:30 Candle Procession

17:30 - Local Choir Groups

18:30 - Tornado Lights Rap Song

Arabic Coffee and Oriental Sweets to be Served

For more information contact www.sirajcenter.org