From Bethlehem to Banff: A Hiker's Journey Through Christmas Lands is an evocative exploration of winter landscapes, sacred sites, and the human spirit. The author sets out from Bethlehem, walking through the ancient streets and hills that witnessed the first Christmas. Through deserts, olive groves, and shepherd trails, the narrative captures the stillness, humility, and wonder of these timeless lands.Crossing into Europe, the journey follows snow-dusted mountains, monasteries, and historic towns through Greece, the Balkans, Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. Readers experience Advent traditions, Christmas markets, caroling, and quiet reflections in Alpine valleys and Black Forest villages. Each step offers insights into how diverse cultures celebrate the season and how landscapes-desert, forest, and mountain alike-shape both the journey and the inner life of the traveler.The journey concludes in Banff, Canada, among the snowbound Rockies, frozen lakes, and ethereal northern light. Here, the narrative deepens, weaving reflections on endurance, connection, and the universal pursuit of hope and renewal. Richly detailed and deeply personal, the book combines vivid travel writing, historical and cultural context, and practical appendices for hikers and pilgrims.A meditation on the meaning of Christmas, the rhythm of walking, and the interplay between landscape and spirit, this book invites readers to traverse the globe alongside the author, witnessing the season's magic in both natural and human landscapes. It is a celebration of adventure, faith, and the enduring light that guides us through every winter.