On the evening of Day 4 after doing a little shopping we met with local Christians at our hotel. They had been invited by Archbishop Nichols. It was a much appreciated chance to discuss what life is like in Bethlehem, what challenges people face and how they deal with them.
We met families who live in Beit Jala, a town just outside Bethlehem and where we went for Mass on Sunday morning (see below).
Archbishop Nichols said: "It is wonderful to welcome our guests this evening and to spend time with them. We share a great depth of faith and humanity with those living under difficult circumstances. we recognise the complexity of the situation but want to extend the hand of friendship to people here. I also want to thank you and to applaud your enthusiasm, your courage and your vision."
Sir Vincent Fean, HM Consul General (Jerusalem) also attended the dinner and he said: "2013 is a crunch year for the two state solution to which the United Kingdom and the whole of the European Union aspire. Settlement expansion is happening systematically and if it continues it will destroy the chances of two states living in peace, side by side - which is the UK's objective. All the alternatives to a two state solution are worse, which is why 2013 matters. The role of the United States under President Obama is key. There is risk and opportunity. Risk that there might not be an initiative that is strong enough, and an opportunity that it might work. There is real need of a successful US-led initiative. This place matters as it is at the heart of the Middle East, it is sacred to three great religions, and it matters to us all."
The opportunity to speak to local Christians really sets the pilgrimage apart, you start to see that this is not just an historical place, but a place that lives the faith that started here. One pilgrim expressed how strange it must be for schoolchildren when they read the Gospel's and Nativity story, to think, 'Bethlehem, that's where I am from' instead of it being a distant place.
Sunday Mass
One pilgrim described the Sunday Mass in Beit Jala as 'the best bit so far'. Another pilgrim was very moved by the 'joy and enthusiasm of the community." The music at the Mass greatly impresed many pilgrims as the tunes were familar hymns, but sung in Arabic. One pilgrim said: "the best bit was getting to meet the families of the people we had met the night before. We got to meet the children, parents, brothers and sisters. It was great!"
