Day 4 - Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Follow the crowded winding streets of old Jerusalem through the Christians' quarter, it is strung with lights for the holiday season, and you pass ornaments you could buy for your tree. You pass people eating and talking, buying and selling, and then suddenly it opens to a courtyard that holds an ancient church. This church is dimly lit and smells of incense. It is ancient and full of tradition. This is the church of the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional site of Golgotha, the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection site of Jesus. Here it is believed that Jesus ended his way of suffering and was nailed to a cross to die. He, like a lamb led to the slaughter, was silent and suffering. He spilled his blood for a people who rejected Him, and yet, before He died, forgave them. Even over 2,000 years later, the Christmas lights on the way remind of His birth and the church of His death. 

It’s only two days until Christmas, and this reminds us that our very faith is the reason we have hope at Christmas. Spend time today thanking the Lord for the hope He gave us in Christ.