One month in the Christian Holy Land is an article with ideas on how to spend a month of pilgrimage in the Holy Land, with particular emphasis on places significant to the earthly life of Jesus, whom Christians worship as the Messiah. This includes much of Israel, Jordan, parts of Palestine, and Egypt. One month in the Jewish Holy Land explores sites meaningful to Judaism, the faith upon which Christianity is built, which will likely also be of interest to Christian pilgrims. Understand: The Holy Land is an interesting region where politics, religion, and history are intertwined. It was here where prophets such as Elijah, Ezekiel, and Moses lived. Here also history of Roman domination over Judea two millenia ago, the Crusades, and more recently the creation of Israel in 1948, the Six Day War, and the Yom Kippur War have all changed the political and historical landscape.
For many, a journey to the Holy Land is a chance to pay tribute to their God and to understand themselves through pilgrimage. The Holy Land draws them to such landmarks as the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus was arrested by the Romans; and Golgotha, where Jesus is believed to have been crucified to redeem the souls of all humanity. Prepare: The narratives of the four Gospels are of course the primary sources about the life of Jesus, and are complete with references to the territory and specific locales visited by "the Son of Man." A careful re-reading will help you decide which places you wish to visit yourself, and to more fully appreciate them with the stories fresh in your mind. Get in: Probably the most sensible route into the Holy Land is to fly in to Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. This will put you closest to Galilee and other sites in Israel that are of interest to Christians. Alternatively, if you want to attempt to follow Moses' footsteps and visit Mount Sinai, flying into Cairo would be an option too. Entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem
* Bethlehem is the town where Jesus was born, the City of David, who was the great King of Israel. * Nazareth is the town widely believed to be where Jesus spent his childhood and early adult life.
* Sea of Galilee is the area in which Jesus did much of his ministry.
* Jerusalem is the historical capital of Israel, and also the place where Jesus spent the week leading up to his crucifixion, which took place just outside the city.
* Mount Sinai is located in the Sinai desert of Egypt, home to the longest running Christian monastery, the Monastery of St. Catherine, and believed to be the Mount Sinai where Moses received the Ten Commandments.
* Tiberias is located on the Sea of Galilee and is a good starting point for a bike ride around the sea or a trip to the Golan Heights.
