When I went to Bethlehem to write a story about the impact of the Gaza war on the local tourism industry I did not think of meeting Mary and Joseph there, and most of all not in a gift shop. But here they were, selling souvenirs nowadays: wooden crosses, nativity scenes, bibles. When they told me their names I did not believe them at first. But Mary was very convincing, she was even prepared to show me their ID cards. Marys son ran around the shop during our conversation shooting with his pen invisible creatures. He will be managing the shop one day.
And no, his name is not Jesus.
– Bethlehem, 23.12.2012. –