Bethlehem, Palestine

Merry Christmas! You will understand the greeting only if you are an Armenian and, therefore, a part of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Their calendar marks January 6 as the official birthday of Jesus. Here, the Holy Family keeps watch over Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity, where Armenian priests help to invigilate the Altar of the Nativity. [2000]

Wadi Qelt, Palestine

Welcome to the Judean Desert. It wasn't so welcoming to Jesus, though. He spent forty days here, in the wilderness, after being baptized by his cousin John. Here, he was tempted by the devil, but he never did turn stone into bread so he could eat. Hanging from the cliffs is the Monastery of St. George with its roots in the 4th century. [1998]

Hebron, Palestine

The tradition of eating camel meat is becoming increasingly rare in the Middle East. But, a few butchers make it their specialty. You can't order it in local restaurants, but you can buy a steak here and take it to a restaurant. They will cook it for you. [1998]

Bethlehem, Palestine

The spire in the distance is the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, but the minaret of a mosque dominates the skyline. Are streets in the Holy Land laboratories of political geography? [1999]

Bethlehem, Palestine

St. Jerome (see him?) holds an elevated position in the history of Christianity. His translation of the Bible into Latin was the version used by western Christians everywhere for over 1100 years. It is known as the Vulgate. Most of the work was done in a cave under this courtyard in Bethlehem. [1999]

Bethlehem, Palestine

You've already opened your Christmas presents, haven't you? You should have waited.  Today, Epiphany Sunday, should be the day of gift giving. It marks the day on which the magi, bearing gifts, arrived at the Christ child's manger. This alter, deep beneath the Church of the Nativity, marks the spot were they knelt in humble adoration. [1999]

Bethlehem, Palestine

Luke tells us the story of Jesus' birth: Joseph and Mary, who was great with child, went up out of Galilee into Judea and unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem. While they were there, 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. Merry Christmas! [1996]

Gaza, Palestine

Here's your chance to put a human face on the Gaza Conflict of 2012. This Thanksgiving, let's give thanks for the ceasefire agreement and pray that peace talks follow. [2000]

Hebron, Palestine

Palestinian pottery is a take-away treat when you visit Israel and the West Bank. Arabs and Armenians are the best at making and decorating it. In this case, a Palestinian artist in Hebron both makes a living for himself and contributes to the city's economic base. [1998]

Hebron, Palestine

Modernity brings us products without process. We never see what goes into making the things we buy. What processes brought these bags of wool to the doorsteps of Hebron? What processes will transform this wool into wearables? If we knew more about these processes, we would appreciate the size of our environmental footprint. [1998]

Jericho, Palestine

Who was Yasser Arafat? (a) a freedom fighter, (b) a terrorist, (c) a peace maker, (d) a murderer, (e) all of the above, (f) none of the above, (g) any of the above. Discuss. [1997]