I am from Bethlehem
You will have place in our Homes and Inn
For twenty centuries, people have been telling the Christmas story about the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. People of all faiths can identify with the young mother-to-be, Mary, travelling by donkey with her husband Joseph, all the way from the village of Nazareth in the Galilee to a distant town–a journey of many long days and nights. Why make such a trek? The young couple was required by the Roman tax collectors to register in the City of Bethlehem. It is one of the most famous passages in the Bible:
And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the entire world should be taxed… And all went to be taxed every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the City of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David), to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
From Nazareth, City of the Annunciation, to Bethlehem, City of the Nativity
Now, more than 2000 years after the historic journey of Joseph and Mary, the modern city of Bethlehem invites you to make a symbolic and historic journey by walking Palestine’s Nativity Trail. This walking trail was originally inaugurated in 1999. However, the route has been recently researched again and modified to suit the new changes on the ground.
Meeting the people:
Walking the Nativity Trail will be an opportunity to meet a diverse range of people: Franciscan priests on Mount Tabor, Muslim clerics at village mosques, Greek Orthodox monks in desert monasteries, hillside farmers and their families, small-town shopkeepers and craftspeople, Bedouin shepherds watering their flocks at ancient cisterns, and many more interesting people.
The Nativity Trail is an opportunity to understand the geopolitical situation in the Holy Land by observing it while walking through the valleys and mountains of Palestine. It gives the participants the chance to have a first hand experience of the situation on the ground.
The Nativity Trial is not just a trip; it is a journey of dialogue, openness and interaction with new people.
Participants will be able to understand the flora and fauna of Palestine and the Bible, and will be able to embrace the culture that lasted in Palestine for thousands of years.
Dates in 2017 / 2018:
- 15 March – 26 March 2018
- 25 October– 5 November 2018
- Flash light
- Sun screen
- Walking or hiking shoes
- Modest clothes
- An open mind and heart
The Nativity Trail – Provisional Itinerary
Day one: Arrival
Upon arrival to TLV airport or any crossing borders, participants will be picked up and transferred to Nazareth. Dinner and overnight in Nazareth
Day two: Nazareth and Mount Tabor
A tour of Nazareth including the Church of the Annunciation and the house of Mary, drive to the foot of Mount Tabor. Ascend Tabor and visit the monastery of the Transfiguration. Dinner and overnight in Jenin, a city north of the West Bank.
Day three: Faqu’a to Zababdeh. 20 km
Early morning, drive to the village of Faqua. Start walking towards Zababdeh. Across the rolling Eastern hills of Palestine, through the village of Jalbun and Mughayir to Zababdeh, a Christian town on the ancient Roman trade route. Overnight accommodation in Zababdeh.
Day four: Zababdeh to Fara’a 15 km
Through olive groves and forests on the fertile hills of the West Bank, descending to the spring of Ain Fara’a. Walk through the vegetable basket of Palestine. Arrive to Fara’a, visit the archaeological sites of Jacob and his family. Dinner and overnight with local families.
Day five: Fara’s to Nablus: 15 km
Walk through the orange groves to the broad sweep of Wadi Bidan, a picturesque valley system rich in mountain springs. While in Nablus, we will visit Jacob’s well and Tel Balata. After checking into our hotel in the old city of Nablus, we will tour the old city and enjoy bathing in the Turkish Bath. We will enjoy a traditional Palestinian meal at the Turkish bath in addition to traditional Palestinian music. Overnight: in the old city of Nablus.
Walk through the Huwara checkpoint and continue from the village of Huwara to Awarta, enjoy the beautiful ancient old buildings in the village, visit the famous Maqams and continue to mount Awrma. Before arriving to Aqraba, rest at Mount Awrma and enjoy the scenes of Palestine and the ancient archaeological site. Continue to Aqraba, Majdal Bani Fadil. The trail follows the escarpment separating the fertile highlands from the arid slopes of the Jordan valley, offering the first views of the desert and Jordan before reaching the agriculture hilltop town of Duma with it’s olive groves. Overnight : village accommodation with families
Day seven: Duma to Ain Auja. 18 km
Hike across deep valleys and over high hills inhabited by shepherds before descending a rocky gorge to sea level at Auja Spring, one of the largest water sources in the Jordan valley. Overnight: camping with Bedouin shepherds near Al Auja.
Day eight: Auja to Jericho. 13 km
Desert terrain gives way to orange groves as the journey continues to the Mount of Temptation with its orthodox monastery clinging to the cliffs, then to Jericho, the oldest city on earth. Drive to the Dead Sea and enjoy swimming in its salty water. Overnight: hotel in Jericho,
Day nine: Jericho to Nabi Musa. 14 km
Up the spectacular canyon of Wadi Qelt to St. George Koziba monastery, then over the arid mountains of the Bethlehem wilderness to the remote and dramatically situated Nabi Musa. Overnight: Nabi Musa guesthouse or camping.
Day ten: Nabi Musa to Mar Saba. 8 km
The original Nativity trail from Nabi Musa involved walking along the road, then taking tracks directly through the desert to the legendary orthodox monastery of Mar Saba in its wild canyon setting. The preferred route is now to drive the road, then follow desert tracks via Hyrcania, one of Herod’s mountain-top fortresses. Much more interesting! Overnight: camping outside the monastery, or with local Bedouin.
Day eleven: Mar Saba to Bethlehem. 9 km
The trail’s final segment ascends the hills of the Bethlehem wilderness to the hilltop suburbs of Bethlehem. The way then ascends on foot or by vehicle through Beit Sahour to Manager Square in Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity on the site where the original journey ended and the Christian faith has its beginning. Dinner and overnight in Beit Sahour.