If anyone is interested in the archeological discoveries in the Holy Land, there is an interesting article in the April Smithsonian Magazine. In 1999, Muslims used bulldozers to dig a pit on the Temple Mount and cart away tons of soil and debris to the Mount of Olives. Archeologists are now sifting through this debris and have found artifacts dating back to the time of Solomon.

The Dome of the Rock is important to three religions, since the 'Foundation Stone' on which it is built is believed by the Hebrews to have been the place where Adam was created and where Abraham intended to sacrifice his son Isaac. It is also the place where Jesus announced the fulfillment of the prophecies in the Old Testament and where he threw out the money-changers. Muslims believe this is the place where the Prophet Muhammed was taken up to heaven.

After lunch at the Christmas Hotel, we visited the Ecce Homo Arch, where Jesus was displayed to the Jews after His scourging. Then we went to the Chapel of Flagellation where the scourging of Jesus is commemorated and on to the Lithostrotos (the Place of the Pavement) at the Convent of the sisters of Zion. The heavy stones on the pavement tell the story of the sadistic "games" the Roman soldiers played with their captives -- including Jesus of Nazareth. This is where he was mocked, crowned with thorns, stripped of his clothing, and spit upon (Matthew 27:27-31).

Later this same day, we traveled to Judah to Ein Kerem in the hill country where John the Baptist was born. This is also where the Church of the Visitation is located -- where the Virgin Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth and the baby John "jumped in her womb." Lyle and I didn't ascend the 100 steep steps to the Church of the Visitation; my back was hurt from my fall, and Lyle has two bad knees! Instead, we waited at the John the Baptist Church for the others. Mass was held here at 4 PM. All around the courtyard of this beautiful church are big panels of Zachariah's Canticle written in many different languages.

Dinner at the Grand Court Hotel in Jerusalem was very nice -- a huge buffet with outlandish dessert tables -- we were eating too much! This is a very upscale hotel in comparison to the one in Bethlehem.