Joyful Reader: Dec 5: O Little Town of Bethlehem

Monday, December 5, 2011

Dec 5: O Little Town of Bethlehem

January 1996: Ray's parents left to serve an 18 month service mission at the BYU Jerusalem Center. Ray's dad was the doctor for the center, taking care of all the students who came through, as well as the adults who were serving in various capacities. They had a marvelous experience, traveling all over Israel and into Egypt with the students.

Then the best part of all came a year later. Mom and Dad brought all their children and spouses to Israel so we could have a wonderful experience also. I have to say that that trip was a highlight of my life. Only one of Ray's siblings was not able to come. The rest of us were there, and there is nothing like a shared experience in the Holy Land to bring you closer together.

Ray and I almost didn't make it out of Seattle. A major snow storm came in, and the airport shut down. We drove down to the airport anyway, hoping we could catch some flight some how and arrive in Chicago on time for our connecting flight to Israel. Long story short, with only half an hour to spare, we got the only flight that left the Seattle airport in that 24 hour window, and arrived in Chicago in plenty of time.

We arrived on December 27. Some day I'll write more about our trip. But today I want to talk about our most treasured souvenir from that experience.

At the Jerusalem Center January 4, 1997
David, Sally, Charles, Ann, Elna, Tom, Amy, Marilyn, Jim, Dad, Mom, Paul, Orva, Ray, Diane, John

There was a man who lived in Bethlehem who hand carved the most exquisite nativities from olive wood. His name was George Lama. The BYU Jerusalem Center had a very intricate nativity by George Lama and we fell in love with it. We ordered one for ourselves. It took a year for him to complete it. Every time I set it up I marvel at all the detail.

It's a beautiful reminder of our wonderful trip, and a beautiful reminder of our Savior, who came to earth and gave His life for ours.