Photos: Nazareth

We arrived at the Basilica of the Annunciation close to sunset (around 4:30pm nowadays) and walked around the perimeter of the building before going inside. Around the outside is artwork from around the world depicting the Annunciation.

A beautiful series of stained glass depicting the Annunciation in the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth.

Me standing in front of the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, over what is believed to be the childhood home of Mary. The Basilica is the largest in the Middle East and reminded me a lot of Saint Peter's in Rome.

A system of water ways has long since dried up, but now it's open to walk though.  The YAGMs took many photo opportunities, including this one :)

The YAGM crew took a ride on the Sea of Galilee and our boat guide cast out a net for fish. We didn't catch any fish, but we did enjoy dancing on the boat, which we had to ourselves, for the rest of the ride. The boat offered a nice rest and panoramic view of the sea.

A model of a door from Nazareth Village, a living history museum that recreates life during Jesus' time. Doors like these had a large opening and a small opening. The large door was only opened for camels and carts to get throught the city, the smaller door for people. Because a person would have to duck to get through the door, it offered protection should anyone invade. The smaller door is called the eye of the needle, perhaps what Jesus was referring to when he said, "It is easier for a camel to get through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to get into the kingdom of heaven." Of course, take this with a grain of salt. Check out this site for more on the "eye of a needle" reference.

Mary's Well in downtown Nazareth, where it is believed the Angel Gabriel visited Mary to tell her that she would bear the Son of God (Annunciation). 

The Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation (aka: Church of St. Gabriel) which is located over an underground spring that feeds into Mary's Well (pictured above).

Palestinian youth working on a project on a stairway along a main street in Nazareth.  Cue "Greatest Love of All" sung by Whitney Houston: "I believe the children are our future; teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a sense of pride to make it easier."