Nazareth to Bethlehem - The Second Week

The Second Week

The Valley of the River Jordan

Much of Mary and Joseph's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem would have been along the valley of the River Jordan, and this is the second stop of our pilgrimage.

The River Jordan is considered by Christians to be the third most holy site in Israel - after the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem, which forms the crypt of the Church of the Nativity, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem which is believed to be the site of Jesus's tomb.

The river would become the site of one of the most important events of Jesus's life: the place where he would be baptised by his cousin John.

Christians believe that John was the forerunner of Jesus, and that his ministry was predicted by the prophet Isaiah:“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” (Isaiah 40:3)

According to the Gospel of St. Matthew, John prophesied the coming of Christ : “I baptise you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11)

Baptisms are still carried out in parts of the River Jordan today (see left).

But sadly, the river has for much of its length become heavily polluted, and has also become much lower - partly because of the removal of water to irrigate the fields on its banks, and partly because of the need of the thousands of Syrian refugees in camps in the country of Jordan.

Pollution of the River Jordan

In the 1st century the River Jordan and the lands around it would have looked much more like this.

Yardenit

Many pilgrims still come to the Holy Land especially to be baptised in the River Jordan. Fortunately, since 1981, from March to November they have been able to come to Yardenit to receive baptism in the holy river. The baptism site at Yardenit is famous for its 'Wall of New Life', that records the names of everyone who has made the pilgrimage and been baptised

The "Wall of New Life' at Yardenit, which tells the story of Jesus's baptism from the Gospel of St Mark (Mark 1 9-11) in many languages .

If you'd like to find out more about Yardenit, click on the image on the left.

Lunch on the second week

This week sees the beginning of the Jewish 'Festival of Lights': Hanukkah. So we will be sharing a special dish to mark this very important Jewish holiday. Go to the next page on this site - not only for the recipe, but also to find out more about Hanukkah.

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