One the most iconic images of the Holy Land is the fish and loaves mosaic in the Church of the Multiplication at Tabgha on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

One the most iconic images of the Holy Land is the fish and loaves mosaic in the Church of the Multiplication at Tabgha on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. It can serve as a reminder that Advent is the season of anticipating miracles. Miracles can come in many forms. This mosaic commemorates feeding thousands with very little and this Advent we may be praying for other miracles. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! 

 

“‘We only have five loaves and two fish’, the disciples said. ‘Bring them to me’, Jesus replied.’” Matthew 14:17-18   

St. George's College Jerusalem

Basilica of the Nativity in Nazareth has a patinated bronze statue of St Joseph with shiny knees from the affection people have show him through the years #Palestine

St Joseph always gets a bit short-changed in the memory of Christians. Thankfully at the Basilica of the Nativity in Nazareth, space is made to remember his honourable devotion. In this bronze statue, Joseph’s knees are rubbed shiny by the affection people show him. Often missed is the image of an angel carved into the rear of the statue. Joseph had his own annunciation and this indicated the way he should approach the challenge of Mary’s suprise pregnancy.

 

“When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; he named him Jesus.’” 

St.George's College Jerusalem

This icon is placed over the altar above the place of Jesus’s birth on the Feast of the Incarnation, at the place of the birth of the Christ-child in the Basilica of the Nativity, Bethlehem.

St.George's College Jerusalem

Our Advent Calendar concludes at the place of the birth of the Christ-child in the Basilica of the Nativity, Bethlehem. 

This icon is placed over the altar above the place of Jesus’s birth on the Feast of the Incarnation. 

And so we come also to worship the one born to be Messiah. 

As we celebrate this Christmas in the midst of war and division, we remember all those who suffer the impact of the war, the hostages and their families, and especially the innocent in Gaza whose suffering knows no bounds. We pray that the Christ-child who comes as the Prince of Peace will lead us into that peace with justice for which he was born, which he lived and preached and for which he died. 

At St George’s College we send this with prayers for the blessings of Christmas to be with you all.

Up on the border of Israel (actually occupied Syria) and Syria with Lebanon, is the ancient site of the Hellenistic era town... the source of the river Jordan

Caesarea Philippi also known as Banias; the source of the river Jordan.

St.George's College Jerusalem

 Advent Calendar Day 17

Caesarea Philippi also known as Banias; the source of the river Jordan. 

 

Up on the border of Israel (actually occupied Syria) and Syria with Lebanon, is the ancient site of the Hellenistic era town. Its beauty and historical significance means this is often a highlight for pilgrims. As well as the place where Jesus said that he would build the Church upon St Peter as the rock, this may also have been the place of Jesus’s transfiguration. 

 

“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’” Matt 16:13

https://biblehub.com/niv/matthew/16.htm

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

14They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

17Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter, ^b and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades ^c will not overcome it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be ^d bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be ^e loosed in heaven.” 20Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Banias does not appear in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament

Banias Waterfall

 Banias or Banyas (Arabic: بانياس الحولة; Modern Hebrew: בניאס; Judeo-Aramaic, Medieval Hebrew: פמייס, etc.;^[2] Ancient Greek: Πανεάς) is a site in the Golan Heights near a natural spring, once associated with the Greek god Pan. 

Etymology

In the Bible, Golan is mentioned as a city of refuge located in Bashan: Deuteronomy 4:43, Joshua 20:8, 1 Chronicles 6:71.^[27] 19th-century authors interpreted the word Golan (Hebrew: גולן) as meaning "something surrounded, hence a district".^[28][29]

The Greek name for the region is Gaulanîtis (Γαυλανῖτις).^[30] In the Mishna the name is Gablān similar to Aramaic language names for the region: Gawlāna, Guwlana and Gublānā.^[30]

The Arabic names are Jawlān^[30] and Djolan (Arabic: جولان) and are Arabized versions of the Canaanite and Hebrew name "Golan".^[31] Arab cartographers of the Byzantine period referred to the area as jabal (جَبَل, 'mountain'), though the region is a plateau.^{[32][dubious – discuss]}

The name Golan Heights was not used before the 19th century.^[27]

This olive tree is situated on the Hebron Road just outside Bethlehem. It marks a contrast with the brutal and life-restricting Wall of Separation behind it, which fences in the Palestinian people.

Advent Calendar Day 7

 

The olive tree is a significant symbol of Palestine. The tree has been grown and olives harvested here for thousands of years. They are long-living and tough, surviving all weather conditions; they produce oil which is essential for the Palestinian cuisine. 

 

This olive tree is situated on the Hebron Road just outside Bethlehem. It marks a contrast with the brutal and life-restricting Wall of Separation behind it, which fences in the Palestinian people. Despite their oppression they survive, like the olive tree. This tree has seen it all and still it stands as a witness. 

 

“One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, 'Be our king.' “But the olive tree answered, 'Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and humans are honored, to hold sway over the trees?’” Judges 8:8-9

  photos from

St.George's College Jerusalem