2026 Christmas Holy Land Tour with Jonathan Brinley

We take a morning flight from our various U.S.A. homes and arrive the next afternoon at the Ben Gurion International Airport. 

Meals: In-flight

Welcome to Israel! As you begin your journey in this ancient land, you will notice that the mountains have hidden secrets and the old ruins have legends. For 3,000 years on this small patch of land, men have toiled and battled; prayed and worshiped; and added their own small humanity to the history of this country. Listen and let the land of Israel tell you the stories of its past. Tonight, we rest from our journey at a seaside hotel in Netanya.  After our welcome dinner, we will gather to get to know our group members better. 

And on the morrow, they entered Caesarea, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard. Enter Caesarea, remains of a city founded by Herod, residence of Pontius Pilate, and a prison for Paul. Sit in the well-preserved amphitheater overlooking the blue sea and hear the story of Paul’s conversion of the Centurion. The scenery begins to change to the beautiful green pastures and high rolling hills of the Jezreel Valley as we approach Mt Carmel, where the prophet Elijah and the priests of Baal contested their faith. Not far away is Megiddo, the tragic site of ancient bloody battles where nations were won and lost. Upon these same tragic fields, the great and terrible last battle of Armageddon will be fought. We end our day at the beautiful Sea of Galilee, where we will stay for the next 3 nights

Today we have a great day planned as this morning we walk a short distance in the Valley of the Doves to experience the route Jesus would have taken from Nazareth to the Sea of Galilee. We then visit the Magdala Center where we explore a 1st century synagogue. On the Sea of Galilee, we board a replica of an ancient fishing boat and then enjoy a delicious lunch of St. Peter’s Fish.  Following lunch, we visit the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount.  This is always a highlight for visitors. While here we can see how it was possible for Jesus to teach the multitude all at the same time as we learn more about his teachings. From here we will visit Tabgha, site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. There is a beautiful Byzantine mosaic on the floor you will not want to miss. We will then venture over to Capernaum, where Jesus lived and recruited his first followers among the fishermen. The well-preserved city will amaze you as you sit in the synagogue and imagine Jesus’ teaching and performing miracles for the masses. 

And he lifted up his hands and blessed them while he blessed them; he was carried up into heaven. Mount Tabor is one of the mountains traditionally claimed to be the site of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ. You will thrill to the almost hair-raising taxi ride up the mountain, but once at the summit, you will feel the peace and calm of the surrounding valley. Our next visit will be Nazareth Village, the quaint town where Jesus Christ spent his childhood, learned his earthly vocation as a carpenter and grew and waxed strong in spirit. We will visit a recreated town from Christ’s time and visit with the villagers to learn what life was like for Jesus as a boy. This afternoon we will travel to the ancient tel of Bet She’an, where 6,000 years of civilization seem to unfold among the ruins. It is believed to be the very Bet She’an of the Old Testament where the former King of Israel, Saul, was fastened to the city wall without his head by the conquering Philistines. Our last stop will be Gideon’s Spring, also known as Harod Spring.

As we leave the fertile valleys of the Galilee, we enter the strange and barren desert of the Dead Sea. Once the Biblical Lands of Moab and Edom, the Dead Sea basin has been a refuge to prophets, zealots, and outcasts throughout time. We will follow the Jordan River Valley south to near Jericho where we will visit Bethabara the site where the Savior was baptized by John the Baptist. Buried in the beige limestone bluffs, the ruins of Qumran still tell the story of the essences, a reclusive Jewish sect that buried the now famous Dead Sea Scrolls. Further south lays Ein Gedi, the oasis where David hid from King Saul.

From the desert floor, ascend by cable car to the spectacular cliff-top fortress of Masada, where a community of 960 Jews preferred death at their own hands to the indignity of surrender to the overwhelming Roman forces. While at the Dead Sea, you cannot miss the opportunity to enjoy a dip in the buoyant waters and bathe in the wonderful medicinal mud! Even Cleopatra sent her slaves to retrieve this magical mud to preserve her legendary beauty. This evening we will journey to the beloved city of Jerusalem for the next four nights.

Happy New Year!  We begin our day at the Mount of Olives overlook, where you’ll enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Jerusalem—an unforgettable sight of this incredible, historic city. Next, we visit the Garden of Gethsemane (and, for those who wish, Orson Hyde Park, a short walk up the hill) along with the Church of All Nations. Here, among the ancient olive trees, we’ll pause to reflect and feel the sacred spirit of this revered place.

Afterward, we visit the Grotto of Gethsemane, and our final stop will be the beautiful Garden Tomb, believed by some to be the burial site of Jesus. Adjacent to the garden is a limestone hill that many revere as Golgotha, the site of the crucifixion—a deeply moving and meaningful place to conclude our tour.

Shabbat Shalom – This is the official Jewish greeting on the Sabbath, and we have a great day planned. This morning begins with Sacrament services at the BYU Jerusalem Center.  Next, we drive to the little town of Bethlehem. We enjoy a unique lunch in a Bedouin Tent restaurant overlooking the shepherds’ field, then we spend some time in the shepherds’ field as we contemplate the events that took place near there so many years ago. Next, we visit the Church of the Nativity to remember the birth of Christ. 

This morning we get our hands in the dirt as we have a special opportunity to participate in a sifting project of dirt taken from under the Dome of the Rock or the City of David. Here we can find a bone, pottery, and possibly an ancient coin!  Next, we visit the amazing Jerusalem Archaeological Park, where we see the ancient southern steps leading to the temple mount that Christ must have tread. From here, we visit the Western Wall.  The Western Wall, also known as the “Wailing Wall” or the “Kotel,” is the most sacred site in the world for Jewish people. Our last stop will be at the City of David to explore the ancient waterway of Hezekiah’s Tunnel! When Jerusalem was preparing defenses against the approaching Assyrian army in the 8th century B.C.E., King Hezekiah decided to protect the water source by diverting its flow deep into the city with an impressive tunnel system. This engineering feat was accomplished by digging a 1,750-foot tunnel into the mountain we can explore today. 

Our first stop of the day is the Temple Mount to see the Muslim Mosque and Muslim shrine—the Dome of the Rock. Next, we experience the incredible acoustics of the St. Ann Church. At the Pool of Bethesda, we marvel once again at Christ’s miracles. In the Old City, we will see the area where the Antonia Fortress once stood and where Christ was scourged. We then walk the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. After a break for lunch, we visit the House of Caiaphas, where Jesus was imprisoned before His final day in mortality. 

After our farewell dinner, we transfer to the airport for our late evening overnight return flights to the USA.

Arrive home in the USA! Welcome Home