Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Walking the Christian Quarter in search of Christmas things

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White Christmas (for W Day at ABC Wednesday) ?
No way.
In Jerusalem today it was hot enough for some tourists to change into their shorts.

Winter warmth is nice so I took advantage of the 20 C temps and went to walk in the Old City, in search of signs of Christmas.

A quite real-looking Santa with a hot sax at the entrance to a restaurant.

Hey, there are doors for Monday Doorways meme too!

"Welcome to my shop, come in," they say.

A modern glass door to a new store in a very old building.

Not surprisingly, the Christian Information Center has a manger scene.

A huge Santa Claus!
In the background is the Lutheran Johanniter Hospiz (the German Hospice of the Order of St. John) with the order's characteristic cross.

A Catholic monk walks down St. Francis Street.
Those little girls' red dresses--would the girls be dressing up as Mrs. Claus?
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Chanuka is starting tonight and I'll post some of those photos during the 8-day holiday.
Happy Festival of Lights!
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24 comments:

  1. In the holy city, I'm surprised to see so many references to Santa Claus and so few to Jesus!

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  2. I am soon tired of all the Christmas decorations (sorry;-), but some like it. Hope we can share a little love and concern also at Christmas, not only stasj.
    Looking forward to reading more about
    Chanuka.
    Hope you have a good time:-)

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  3. Shalom friends.
    Petrea, but remember, I am just showing decorations that businesses have and stores that sell the Santa stuff. And that was to be found only in the Christian Quarter, which is only one of four quarters inside the Old City.
    I also spent much time today wandering in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Not one bit of Christmas decoration there, but lots and lots of holy spirit.

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  4. I shouldn't be surprised! In a city of such variety, I guess you'll find a bit (or a lot) of everything!

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  5. Quite strange, I can't just imagine Santa and poinsettias in the Old City... Well spotted!

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  6. Santa seems somehow out of place...
    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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  7. Thanks for sharing signs of our Christian holiday...sending you warm wishes for a wonderful hanukka!

    Leslie
    abcw team

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  8. Christmas in Jerusalem! That is really interesting. I too am surprised at all the Santa Claus-es.

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  9. Happy Chanuka, Dina! Peace and good health.

    I think Lutheran German Hospice of the Order of St. John is fantastic. The order's cross still looks good.

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  10. Happy Festival of Lights, Dina :)

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  11. May he provide peace all over.

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  12. Enjoyed your post...Happy Chanuka!

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  13. Happy Chanukah!

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  14. You found quite a collection of Christmas photos! I love the Santa with the sax!

    Happy Hanukkah, Dina! Show us the Festival of Lights!

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  15. It seems that Western cultural artifacts show up everywhere. amusing, touching, and sad all at the same time.

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  16. Thanks, Dina, for this nice walk through the Christian Quarter in the Old City: it's so fascinating. That crib is really sweet.
    Happy Chanuka!

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  17. hi beautiful Dina, there are balloon santas here also, well since Santa is so full of hot air anyway ho ho ho ho.

    Enjoy the beauty of the initial light of chanuka.

    well I guess they could be mrs. claus with respect to the little dresses but I think people can also dress up to make reference to him.
    I know it gets complex.
    haha.
    love and light and shalom.

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  18. Christmas in Jerusalem and Hanukkah too. Such an epicenter of spirituality. Are you feeling the "goodness"?

    Around here, people are doing things like paying others' bills anonymously.

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  19. That's a great looking door to the restaurant - and «Louis» thanks you for the reference to (and participation in!) Monday Doorways.

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  20. Wow! I'm surprised you found so many Santas. What a fun post!

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