Mass inside the cave where the angels appeared to the shepherds on the first Christmas Eve (homily here). Lunch at the Christmas Tree Restaurant with falafel‘s and Shawarma. Then to the Church of Nativity where we touched the birthplace of Christ and prayed the 3rd Joyful Mystery.
Then the highlight of our trip! We took our group for the Solemn Entry into the Tomb of Christ. The Franciscans met us at the door of the church amidst the crowds and escorted us in with organ playing and Latin singing. After an address by the superior general of the Holy Sepulchre, we enter the tomb 4 x 4. What a great day!