Where is Bethlehem

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Unit 4b Celebrations Christmas Journeys
Where is Bethlehem?
Bethlehem is in the Middle East
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Unit 4b Celebrations Christmas Journeys
Many Christians travel to Bethlehem to visit the
place where Jesus was born. When people make a
journey for religious reasons it is called a
pilgrimage. Other places of pilgrimage are
Varanasi
Walsingham
Makkah
Lourdes
What do you think the reasons for going on a
pilgrimage are?
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Unit 4b Celebrations Christmas Journeys
Think about Mary and Josephs journey to
Bethlehem.
How did they travel?
How far did they have to go?
How do you think Mary felt about going on such a
difficult journey?
How do you think they felt when they arrived, and
there were no rooms left to stay in?
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Unit 4b Celebrations Christmas Journeys
Think about the story of the Angel appearing to
the shepherds Imagine you are one of the
shepherds. How do you think you would feel when
you saw the angels appear?
Surprised
Excited
Confused
Happy
Angry
Afraid
Calm
Sad
Can you think of other words to describe the
feelings of the shepherds?
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Unit 4b Celebrations Christmas Journeys
The wise men brought gifts for the baby Jesus.
Can you remember what they were?
Gold Frankincense Myrrh
Why do you think they brought these gifts? What
sort of gifts would you bring for a new-born
baby? What do you think the gifts symbolise?
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Unit 4b Celebrations Christmas Journeys
Think about the story of Mary and Joseph fleeing
to Egypt. Do you know where Egypt is?
Egypt is in North Africa
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Unit 4b Celebrations Christmas Journeys
Find out how far it is from Bethlehem to
Egypt How would Jesus, Mary and Joseph have
travelled? How long would it have taken to get
to Egypt? How do you think Mary felt at having
to make such a long journey? What do you think
Joseph and Mary would have been worried
about? Can you think of examples nowadays when
people have to make long journeys because it is
too dangerous to stay where they are?