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We entered the walled city at the Dung Gate. The weather was beautiful. Our first interest today was the Temple Mount (Haram esh-Sharif). Gilla is detailing the layout of the Temple Mount during the 2nd Temple period.
The view of the Temple Mount from this location helps to understand the layout from that 2nd Temple period.
The gray dome is the El Aksa Mosque. This is an important Moslem worship center. It has a long and varied history dating back to its completion by Omayyad Caliph El-Walid in 715 AD. It was damaged by fire in 1969 but has been beautifully restored.
Above, we see our group preparing to go into the El Aksa Mosque. This requires one to leave shoes and equipment outside so someone must watch the stuff. Note the stuff watchers, Steve, Gilla, Bennie Ruth and Don, with me taking the picture.
Our group completes their visit into the Mosque and as always I line everybody up for a picture.
The second important building on the Temple Mount is the Dome of the Rock.
The building dates to 691 AD and is the first major sanctuary built by Islam. It commemorates the night visit of the Prophet Mohammed. This is believed to be the location of Mount Moriah, the location of the visit by Abraham and Isaac for the sacrifice directed by the Lord (Genesis 22). David bought this location and located the Ark of the Covenant on this site. Solomon built the first temple here on the Temple Mount (1 Kings 5-6). Jesus was often in this area. He was presented in the Temple (Luke 2:22), disputed with the scribes (Luke 2:46), cast out the merchants (Mt. 21:12) and tempted by Satan on the Temple Mount.
We exited the Temple Mount the same way we came in. We were interested in visiting the Western Wall before we left the Jewish Quarter area.
It is easy to see the majesty of this support wall. One must review history to understand its importance and value.
A stone up close with the prayers pushed in between any available space in the wall.
This is an upward view from the bottom of the wall.
A look back at the Western Wall as we depart for the Mount of Olive.
We went around to the Garden of Gethsemane.
"He went with them to a place called Gethsemane" (Matthew 26:36). The place of the olive press. He prayed earnestly at this place (Lk 22). They arrested Him here.
He walked across the Kidron Valley through the Valley of Decision to His judgement and then to the cross.
A look back at the Mount of Olives with the Church of All Nations in the lower left.
We visited the overlook but it was overcast. Now we traveled the five miles down to Bethlehem.
This entrance into the Church of the Nativity was done this way on purpose to keep the horses ridden by the soldiers out of the Church.
The interior of the Church of the Nativity is beautiful and ancient. The traditions relating to this edifice date back to the 6th Century AD.
This is the traditional location of the birth of Christ.
We spent some time at the Church of the Nativity and then headed back toward Jerusalem. Our guide, Gilla, had a surprise for us. We detoured around Har Homa to Migdal Eder, a field of shepherds.
Steve led us in a devotional.
In the distance.
Rough terrain. Quiet beauty. A shepherd field.
Water means life in the desert. An ancient well.
We head back to Jerusalem. We have more to do this day.
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Clay is pictured
here in front of the preparation fountain for those going into the Mosque. They
clean their feet at this place. In the background is the Dome of the Rock. 
A better view of the Dung Gate that exits
the Jewish Quarter next to the Temple Mount area.
I
am always a little amazed when I visit the Temple Mount. The entrance area is
nothing more than a makeshift ramp up to this sacred place. I don't know the
reasoning for this but then am not required too.
Clay, standing in front of the Western Wall. The
stones that form this western support for the Temple Mount area are huge. 
The
courtyard of St. Catherine's Church is next to the Church of the Nativity.
Adjoining
St. Catherine's Church is a cloister.
Note
the shepherds led by Harold. 
