Bethlehem 2007 A.D.

The December issue of National Geographic, very fittingly, has a nice article about the current state of the city of Bethlehem. It was very interesting so click here to check it out.

For those of you now wanting to read the whole thing here are the points I found most interesting. You can say this is the Cliff Notes version of an NG article!

1. The church built above the location where Jesus was born is shared by three actual churches who fight over who has the actual right to be there and even who has the right to clean which area! The Churches are Roman Catholic, Armenian and Greek Orthodox.
2. Today Bethlehem is only about one-third Cristian and this number is shrinking.
3. Bethlehem is one of the most contentious places on earth.
4. Along the city's borders are three Palestinian refugee camps that the residents have been living in since 1948.
   
5. Unemployment is estimated to be at 50% in the city.
6. To be allowed to leave the city to work you have to be married with kids. This is to ensure the laborers' will return.
7. Many Jews believe the Messiah will arrive in the back country of Bethlehem. Many Christians believe the Messiah will return back to the spot He was born. Palestinian Muslims also revere the land of Bethlehem as sacred since Jesus is one of their prophets.
   
8. There is a 24-foot high wall encircling Bethlehem on three sides. It's original purpose was to keep out terrorists but many now believe it is a tricky way of rewriting the borders. There is a 2 minute video about the wall which is very interesting - click here.
   
9. The people who are leaving the city are the educated, the rich, the politically moderate, young families. These are the people who best able to change the situation there.
10. Christmas is celebrated three times in the city: 1) The Greek Orthodox church on January 6th, 2) the Roman Catholic Church have their Christmas eve service - the one televised on TV on December 24th, and 3) the Armenians celebrate on January 18th.
    

It snowed all night....

and most of the day yesterday. It was beautiful. I worked until 2:00 am last night and as I walked through the quiet, snow-covered city to the car I felt like I was walking in a real Winter Wonderland!

Here are some pictures of the snow in our neighborhood and one of our little Christmas Tree:

A Denver Update....

Since moving to Denver Derek and I have both found jobs serving tables again. Derek doesn't mind the relaxed schedule as it provides plenty of time to paint and write, but it drives me slightly crazy so, true to form, I have found five families to start babysitting for when I have down time! I am really a college student now. The families and kids have been great so far with flexible schedules and laid back attitudes and the pay is just as good as it ever was in Palm Beach. Derek's job is less then half a mile away which is not bad at all except when he takes both sets of keys to work with him and I lock myself out on accident so have to walk up there with just a light jacket on and no scarf.

His place is called the Tavern Uptown and has a really neat, local atmosphere and some amazing hummus. I started working at the Paramount Cafe which is a rock and roll type place built into the former entrance of the Paramount theatre which still hosts a lot of the big shows/concerts and I would liken to The Ryman in Nashville. It has really good drink specials and a good BBQ elk burger, but, like the Tavern, it is open until 2:00am which may provide for some really long nights once I start school.

Yes, we both got into school. I start on January 2nd and am super excited about it. On the 21st I have orientation when I will pick my classes and figure out most everything else. Derek is accepted as well (they actually made a personal call to him to let him know they wanted him - I am NOT jealous about that though. Nope, I am very happy with my form letter) but since one of his letters of recommendation was late in getting there he is waiting until May to begin. That will probably work out just great though because I will be able to work less and figure things out for the first semester. I have started considering doing the Global Health Affairs program which was "founded in 2003 and is the first program in the US to offer a global health degree within the intellectually diverse and socially engaged context of a school of international studies." End quote! Derek is still leaning towards the International Administration program which he can finish in the Peace Corps if we still take that route, which yes, we are still planning on!

Let's see. What else? I had a job interview that I think went really well with a non-profit group who helps low-income families and individuals with their tax filing and preparation. It would be a part-time position as the volunteer coordinator so would fit nicely with school and I would learn some new things which is always good. I would like to get it, but will be fine if not. I have also joined a running club nearby but haven't been with them yet because I am rather embarrassed about my inability to run effectively in this altitude. I will soon. Maybe this Thursday. I need to just do it.

It snowed all day yesterday. It is beautiful and really feels like th Christmas season you see on TV. Right now it is 19 degrees. Although I am not going to say it isn't cold, it really isn't too bad at all. I like bundling up and wearing scarves but when I went to try on my bridesmaid dress I realized I have some major tanning to do before March 8th. That is when Brooke and Jason get married!

What our time in Denver has taught us so far:

1. You can buy beer in the grocery store here but it is specially brewed to be only 3.2% alcohol by content. And here I thought we were liberated out West!

2. We shouldn't walk on Colfax after 10:00 pm. Literally I have been told this by three people!

3. One day it may be 70 and the next 15. Degrees that is.

4. Gandalf doesn't like having cold paws.

5. The post office here is not nearly as efficient as one would hope.

6. Floyd's Barbershop moved to Denver. Actually, Floyd didn't just move out of Mayberry, but he franchised his name. Good thing he left Aunt Bee there - can't stand her.

7. A full understanding of dry, itchy skin.

8. Homeless people in Denver have things to sell - they don't just ask for money, they ask you to buy their brand new bike, high top sneakers or original joke. It is a notable change from Nashville where the same kid tried to trick me three times with his empty gas tank. That's not to say we don't miss our friends from down south!

9. Scraping snow from one's windshield is fun - the first time!

10. Running here is not an option - there isn't enough oxygen to go around.

11. Denver has some super good water. I mean it is as good and maybe better then some bottled water varieties.

Happy Christmas and Merry Holidays!

I'm a Christian. I believe Jesus died for my sins and that His birth is the reason I celebrate Christmas; however, not everyone who celebrates Christmas and especially my friends who celebrate Hanukkah (or Kwanzaa) do not believe that. And, Jesus wasn't even REALLY born at Christmas time!

That is a fact. Christmas gifts are bought by people who do not believe Jesus was the savior of mankind, but they, just like I do, buy gifts and spend a bunch of money that keeps our economy going. So, why is it that so many of my Christian friends get so upset when Macy's and Barnes and Noble and The Pottery Barn wish us "Happy Holidays?" Why is this so offensive? Are there not many, many out there buying gifts and spending large amounts of money this month at their stores that are not celebrating Jesus' birth, but are celebrating a holiday? And, furthermore, wouldn't it be more offensive if these stores used our faith as a marketing ploy to convince us to buy from them when we should all know that presents are not the true meaning of Christmas or Hanukkah. Really, wouldn't you be more upset if you realized that Williams and Sonoma's marketing department next year said, "hey, you know what? Since The Pottery Barn and all our other competitors are out there upsetting the conservative Christians by sending out 'Holiday Catalogs' why don’t we just send out 'Christmas Catalogs?' That way we can easily manipulate them into buying from our catalog this year even though it is still full of our meaningless stuff."

I say let them advertise in whichever way they think convinces us to buy from them since that is what they are trying to do - ADVERTISE. I also say let's all settle down with the attitude problem whenever someone says "Happy Holidays" because the fact is that others are just not sure what holiday you are celebrating and really probably aren't in the mood to upset you. Or maybe they have friends celebrating different holidays whom they also love and respect. Or.... maybe they don't care what holiday you are celebrating but want you to be jolly one way or another.

Normally I wouldn't care what others are getting upset about, but this month I have gotten at least 2 emails a day about how offended Christians are that their local cable stations, the department stores and their fire departments want them to have a happy holiday season instead of a merry Christmas. The truth is, regardless of what holiday you celebrate or why, corporate America and even your local, hometown dealer really doesn't care too much whether you are merry or happy - they just want you to try to catch the spirit by spending money.

Did you know:

• We decorate fir trees because the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven.
• We hang wreaths on our doors as a symbol of the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection.
• We pretend that Santa Clause comes down our chimneys to leave presents because Santa was meant to symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December.
• We give Christmas gifts to symbolize the gift God gave to us when he gave us a way to true and everlasting freedom.
• We give out, eat and decorate with candy canes because they represent the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock (more symbolism). The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper.

I had posted this and then in the middle of the night I took it off because I was afraid someone would be upset. Then this morning I got an email from my childhood neighbor (Thanks Boonie!) titled "A Christmas Letter From Jesus" and I thought, "here we go again." I read it and here is what it actually said:

Dear Children, It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of a pagan festival.

Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime, how I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that, let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth , here is my wish list. Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving a lot of gifts you can't afford and people don't need, spend time with your loved ones. Remind them that they are loved, important and special.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile. It could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas", that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary or non-profit group -- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who need it.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity that believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then just behave like a Christian. Nicely!
    

Don't forget: I am God and can take care of Myself.

I LOVE YOU,
JESUS