Advent Pilgrimage

December 2022

Travel to Jordan, Israel and Palestine Read more

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- Dec 3, 2022, 10:48am
- ☀️ 27 °C
- Altitude: 7 m
- United Arab Emirates Dubai AL Twar Second Dubai International Airport 25.244339, 55.37073225°14’40” N 55°22’15” E
Day 2
The Flight Over
December 3, 2022 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
After our 14hr flight from Brisbane to Dubai, Miki and I navigated our way to the lounge. With an 8hr layover we have caught up on sleep, had some food and even a shower! In 3hrs we will leave the lounge and make our way to gate C13 for our final 2hr flight to Amman.Read more
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- Dec 4, 2022, 8:00am
- ☀️ 14 °C
- Altitude: 950 m
- Jordan Amman Ḩayy aş Şuwayfīyah Kanīsat al ‘Adhrā’ an Nāşirīyah 31.951443, 35.87078931°57’5” N 35°52’15” E
Day 3
Church of Saint Mary of Nazareth
December 4, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
Today we started the day by attending local Mass service at the Church of Saint Mary of Nazareth. The Mass was in Arabic except for a few parts by Bishop Michael and Father Ashwyn. I also volunteered to read the second reading - what an experience! The church was decorated for Christmas and even had a Mary shrine down some stairs.Read more
Traveler Bucket list moment! 😍
12/5/22Reply
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- Dec 4, 2022, 11:00am
- ⛅ 14 °C
- Altitude: 815 m
- Jordan Amman Jabal al Qal‘ah Wādī Şafrā’31.954203, 35.93651631°57’15” N 35°56’11” E
Day 3
Amman Citadel
December 4, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
I had no idea what to expect at the Citadel, and man was I surprised! This incredible site has artefacts from many different ages. To see parts of churches and mosques on the same land was interesting. As the Citadel is on the top of a hill, it also lends to great views of Jordan from all sides. While we were at the summit we also heard the Muslim call to prayer.Read more
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- Dec 4, 2022, 2:30pm
- ☀️ 19 °C
- Altitude: 675 m
- Jordan Madaba Ḩayy al Fayşalīyah al Jadīd Şiyāghah 31.767307, 35.72661631°46’2” N 35°43’36” E
Day 3
Mt Nebo
December 4, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
What a view from Mt Nebo! While at the top of Bishop Michael read a passage which detailed what Moses saw while he stood at the summit. It was a very spiritual experience to stand there and look over the vista that Moses would have seen - including the Dead Sea and Jericho. We then went into the church to look at the stunning mosaics that have been preserved.Read more
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- Dec 5, 2022, 8:36am
- ☀️ 11 °C
- Altitude: 920 m
- Jordan Ajloun Al ‘Uqdah Khirbat Mār Ilyās 32.36245, 35.72263732°21’45” N 35°43’21” E
Day 4
Tal Mar Elias
December 5, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C
This morning we started our day by travelling to see the birthplace of Elijah. Although there isn’t much at the top, we were treated to a wonderful view and beautiful mosaics. There was also an acorn tree, I’d never seen one before!Read more
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- Dec 5, 2022, 11:00am
- ☀️ 14 °C
- Altitude: 885 m
- Jordan Ajloun ‘Anjarah Kanīsat Sayyidat as Salām 32.30621, 35.75001132°18’22” N 35°45’0” E
Day 4
Our Lady of the Mount Church
December 5, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
Our Lady of the Mount Church was the second stop today. Bishop Michael said Mass in the adjacent Shrine. This Shrine is the site of a miracle. On the 6th of May 2010 while cleaning the outside of the cabinet, a sister saw Mary’s statue blink red tears. The liquid was taken away for processing and it was discovered to be human blood. This is now a confirmed miracle.

Mass was beautiful and before we left the parish gave us peppermint tea!Read more
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- Dec 5, 2022, 1:27pm
- ☀️ 17 °C
- Altitude: 559 m
- Jordan Jerash Bāb ‘Ammān Qaws an Naşr 32.272186, 35.89117832°16’20” N 35°53’28” E
Day 4
Jerash
December 5, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
This afternoon we explored the ancient Roman city of Jarakesh. Although there is a newer city, this part is protected and cannot be built on. We saw the massive gates and hippodrome. After watching a bagpipe performance we had some free time to explore the archeological site. Miki climbed to the top of the amphitheater with Mary and I stayed at the bottom - my legs would have become jelly.

After that, we climbed to the Zeus temple and a local took some epic pictures for us (for a tip of course!). There are still parts of the sight that are being restored while some are still being uncovered.Read more
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- Dec 6, 2022, 8:00am
- ☀️ 17 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- Jordan West Bank Jericho Dayr Ḩajlah Al Maghţas 31.832205, 35.54672631°49’56” N 35°32’48” E
Day 5
Baptism Site
December 6, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
This morning we started our day by having Mass at the side of the Jordan River. The Jordan River is the boarder between Jordan and Israel / The West Bank. During the Mass we renewed our Baptismal promise as well.

Following the Mass we walked to the sight they believe is where John the Baptist baptised Jesus. It was amazing to hear our guide (Fadi) recall accounts of the early pilgrims and how they matched with the now unearthed Church.

We followed the path all the way up to the current area where baptisms take place. There were American soldiers getting baptised and we could see people on the Israel side getting baptised as well.Read more
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- Dec 7, 2022, 8:21am
- ⛅ 12 °C
- Altitude: 357 m
- Israel Northern District Nazareth 32.702148, 35.29742832°42’8” N 35°17’51” E
Day 6
Basilica of Annunciation & St Josephs
December 7, 2022 in Israel ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Our first full day in Nazareth was full of adventure. We started by walking to the Basilica of Annunciation to celebrate Mass. The Church had incredible stained glass windows and even Mary’s house.

Following Mass we walked to the Church of St Joseph. Under the Church is an ancient baptismal font and grotto. These would have been above ground at the time, but as with a lot of the sites, buildings have been built on top of other buildings.Read more
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- Dec 7, 2022, 12:00pm
- ⛅ 16 °C
- Altitude: 347 m
- Israel Northern District Kefar HaH̱oresh ‘En Maqqav 32.700478, 35.29039432°42’2” N 35°17’25” E
Day 6
Nazareth Village
December 7, 2022 in Israel ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Before lunch we headed to the incredible Nazareth Village. This is a full, working, first century village complete with donkey, sheep, olive oil press. We actually use videos of this place in the Year 2 curriculum so it was incredible to see the place in the flesh. While on the village tour we saw the olive oil farmers, shepards, potters, weavers and even a reconstructed Synagogue. At noon we shared a traditional first century lunch!Read more
Traveler Frozen in time! This would’ve been so cool to see!
12/11/22Reply
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