Arrive in Israel and travel up the coast following the “Way of the Sea” which is mentioned in Matthew 4:15.        

Overnight on Coast

We will travel to Caesarea where we will focus on Peter, Paul and the early Church. 

Next, we head up to Mt Carmel and address Elijah and the prophets of Baal.

Part of today’s Christmas journey will include a visit to Nazareth where the announcement of the birth of Jesus to Mary occurred.

Today, we will observe the first Sunday of Advent. 

Overnight in Galilee at Magdala Hotel

On our visit to Tel Dan, we will enjoy a long hike through a nature preserve where we see the sources of the Jordan River, study Scripture, visit the high place of Dan and city gates from the time of Abraham and Jeroboam.

Then, the bus will carry us about two miles to Caesarea Philippi where Jesus reveals His Messianic identity and sacrificial death to his disciples.

We will travel on the east side of the Sea of Galilee and visit Mitspeh Neqeb (Mark 5) & proceed to baptisms in the Jordan. You will need a bathing suit or shorts/shirts under the robe & towel issued for those desiring baptism.

Overnight in Galilee at Magdala Hotel

Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene, which has an excavated 1st-century synagogue where Jesus likely taught, is our home-base in Galilee. We will spend extra time here this morning.

We will hop on the bus & travel around the Sea of Galilee to Korazin and then to Capernaum which was the home base of Jesus ministry.

On the Sea of Galilee, we will visit the Yigael Alon Museum which holds a 1st-century fishing boat, like the ones Jesus used.

Next, is our boat ride that will orient us to Biblical locations and allow us to travel the same body of water that Jesus referred to so many times in the Word. Bring a jacket!

Overnight in Galilee at the Magdala Hotel

We will check out of our hotel and an early morning ride will take us down to the Judean Wilderness and Dead Sea area in the territory of John the Baptist. This Christmas we will be reminded of Isaiah’s words “In the wilderness, prepare the way of YHWH.” 

We will view this area from the top of Masada, Herod’s greatest fortress, visit Qumran & Dead Sea Scrolls caves and experience a Dead Sea swim if desired. If daylight allows, we will make a stop on the Jerusalem-Jericho Road and recall the parable of the Good Samaritan. 

Overnight in Jerusalem at Prima Kings

Today our first stop is in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City inside of Dung Gate where we visit the famous Davidson Jerusalem Archeological Park located next to the Western Wall. Be sure to bring your written and heartfelt prayers for the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism.

Now on to Hurva Square in the Jewish Quarter for lunch. Next, we will walk down the hill to the City of David which holds Hezekiah’s tunnels, Pools of Siloam and numerous on-site excavations. Dinner tonight is at the rooftop restaurant of Notre Dame. 

Overnight in Jerusalem at Prima Kings Hotel

The Israel Museum, which houses a one-acre model of Jerusalem & the Temple in the time of Jesus, will be our first stop. Next, we will tour the Shrine of the Book which houses Israel’s Dead Sea Scrolls and a short stop in the archeological wing of the museum.

Our next Christmas stops include Bethlehem, the Church of the Nativity in Manger Square, and Shepherds’ Field, as well as Christmas shopping at an olive wood shop.  

Overnight in Jerusalem at Prima Kings Hotel

Our morning begins with a visit to the Mount of Olives, and then down into the Kidron Valley and the Church of All Nations & Garden of Gethsemane.

Next stop is the Old City/Jaffa Gate and the Tower of David where Jesus was brought after His arrest and appeared before Pilate and began His way to the cross. We will walk the path of the historical Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. On this holy journey, we will walk past and stop at St Anne’s Church to sing Christmas carols and visit the Pools of Bethesda. The Garden Tomb is our final stop of the day. 

Overnight in Jerusalem

After breakfast and hotel check out, we will observe the 2nd Sunday of Advent. Next is Jerusalem University College (JUC) www.juc.edu on Mt. Zion for a tour of archeological finds and the gravesite of Horatio Spafford. 

In addition, we will conduct a Service Project by bringing small Christmas gifts to students studying at JUC.

We will also visit the traditional site of the Upper Room. This afternoon, we will leave for the Shephelah and visit the Elah Valley, location of the battle of David and Goliath.

We hopefully will also visit a kibbutz outside of Jerusalem and gain a better understanding of kibbutz life.

After our evening meal we will depart for the airport. Dinner at your expense.

Schedule your flight home using this as a guide: Sunday, Dec 6, 10:00pm-2:00am Dec 7. Goodbye Israel!

Arrive in USA

Schedules, housing and itinerary are subject to change without notice due to war, Covid, the devaluation of the dollar and political uncertainties. This itinerary is based on the best possible use of time management, keeping in mind the complexities of Israeli traffic, the current political climate and opening hours as regards to Jewish, Christian and Muslim holidays.