Christmas with Grandparents Part II

Continuing the saga of our Christmas Break (P.S. we're fine and the Egypt situation is not affecting us here in Israel, except for that one time I'll write about later...)

But back to the story about our Grandparents visiting us for Christmas.  We spent three days in Galilee, and the last post describes the first day and a little of the second.  We went to Ginnosar on the Sea of Galilee where an ancient fishing boat was discovered during a drought season.  The dark area of the photo below is the "mummified" wood, and the silver arches below are supporting each individual piece. 

Galilee has some beautiful churches commemorating significant events in the Savior's life.  In addition to the Church of the Beatitutes described in the last post, we went to Tabgha, the traditional site of the miracle of the loaves and the fishes (John 6:5-14). 

We enjoyed the fish in the courtyard cloister, and tried to get photos of the loaves and fishes mosaic.  (Mine didn't turn out, so I'm going to yet again borrow from Chad Emmett.) 

Here is a photo of my handsome husband teaching John 21:15-17 in a very lovely shady spot next to the Church of St. Peter's Primacy.  Here, Peter was commanded, "Feed my sheep," and was elevated to his position as head of the church.  How wonderful that the Lord can use imperfect humans as instruments in accomplishing His work. 

The rock table ("Mensa Christi") within the church is venerated as the site where Jesus had prepared a fire for fish and bread and invited his disciples to come and dine.

Despite the chilly weather we waded on the crunchy shell-filled shore line near where the Savior told Peter to cast his net on the other side of the boat, and immediately the nets were filled and overflowing.

Modesty is important to the caretakers of these churches.  As a side note, at the Jerusalem Center, BYU students are allowed to wear shorts only in the center after dinner, or while exercising in the gym.  During fall 2010 semester, an exception was made on the Masada field trip (typically a sweltering experience) but they ended up in a cold rain shower.

Our next stop was Capernaum, with a modern church straddling the remains of a Byzantine church in the middle of an ancient village of basalt stone.  The church was built over the likely site of Peter's mother-in-law's house, where she was healed (Matt 7:14-15) and which was expanded to accomodate a growing congregation of the earliest Christians. 

Just next door, the remnants of a grand limestone synagogue sit on the basalt footings of an older synagogue, which is almost certain to have been visited by the Savior.  Looking through the fence in the photo below, you can see the original dark gray foundation.

Decorative stones from the synagogue line the area.  Notice the depiction of the ark of the covenant.

 Lisa gets up close and personal with a giant aloe plant as our second day in Galilee draws to a close.

The Galilee Branch Meeting house in Tiberias was decked out for the holidays. 


Below, the view from the front door.  Carl and Melanie Harris have been heavily involved in the landscaping and maintenance of the grounds.  

Dedicated by Elder Holland in 2007, this unique building was purchased and remodelled at a time when rent prices became prohibitive, and it is now a beautiful and functional chapel.  Notice the four hymn boards behind Frank Sr.  On a typical Sabbath worshippers may sing the same hymn simultaneously in English, Spanish, Russian, and Hebrew.

The beautiful view from the roof of the Galilee Branch Meetinghouse. 

On the way home towards Jerusalem, we stopped at Yardenit, where the Jordan river flows out of the Sea of Galilee.  While John the Baptist probably baptized the Savior further south, this location is a reverent and  safe location (i.e. not in the West Bank) where pilgrims and their pastors can come and be immersed in the Jordan.

Signs on the walls celebrate Jesus' baptism in dozens of languages.  Mark (a.k.a. Oldungur Fillmore), this photo is for you.

We had a nice devotional here and pondered on what it means to be born of water and of the spirit.

Overlooking the Wadi Kelt, we reviewed the story of the Good Samaritan.  This was the ancient road between Jerusalem and Jericho, but it is more a meandering canyon than a road.  It is easy to imagine hiding places for bandits along the way. 

 The beauty of the parable is that at some times in our lives, we need to emulate the Samaritan by reaching out to others beyond our comfort zone.  At other times, we may identify with the man who fell among thieves, and we must humbly acknowledge our dependence on others.  And there may be times when we uncomfortably see ourselves in the character who passed by and refused to help.  In each of these scenarios-- trying to serve others, accepting service from others, or recognizing the need for change--we can look to Jesus Christ as our example, our source of comfort, and our redeemer.