December Calendar Story – Who Knew a Juice Stall Could Be a Lighthouse? | Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem
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Time to read 4 min
Where Light Appeared at Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem
A Quiet Jerusalem and an Unexpected Encounter at Jaffa Gate
The Place I Least Expected God to Meet Me
Sometimes God shows up in the most unexpected places—like a small juice stall near Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem.
(And no, this was not on my spiritual bingo card for the day.)
On November 20, 2024, in Israel—during the 411th day of the war following October 7—We met Jacob, a man who left a lasting impression on my heart. He runs a humble juice stall just outside Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem, and from the moment we arrived, it felt unmistakably clear that God had led us there.
By that stage of the war, Jerusalem was unusually still. Fewer pilgrims passed through the gates, some shops in the Old City stood closed, and the city moved at a slower, quieter pace. Prayer continued without crowds or noise. Everything felt restrained yet strong, as if Jerusalem itself was holding its strength. In that prolonged darkness, I was learning that God often places His brightest lights in the most ordinary corners.
I Prayed for Juice — God Answered at Jaffa Gate
That morning, we were walking uphill from Succat Hallel, the 24/7 prayer house, toward Jaffa Gate. Officially, it’s about a twenty-five-minute walk. Unofficially—under the blazing Jerusalem sun, with heat bouncing off pale limestone and absolutely no shade—it felt much longer.
Somewhere along the way, slightly dehydrated and significantly less spiritual than I’d like to admit, I whispered a very simple prayer: “Father, I want to drink pomegranate juice.” Not exactly a heroic prayer. Just an honest one.
Thirst has a way of stripping away pretence. It reminds you how dependent you really are—physically, emotionally, spiritually.
Moments later, as we stepped through Jaffa Gate, there it was—a small juice stall glowing like an oasis. I actually laughed. Price didn’t matter. I didn’t even check the menu. I just needed something cold to rescue my body—and my spirit.
God didn’t answer with spectacle.
He answered with kindness, timing, and attention.
A quiet reminder that He is near enough to care about even the smallest prayers.
(Fun fact: this is also the same juice stall where we previously met filmmaker David—see the January Israel calendar story for that unexpected encounter.)
Faith at a Jerusalem Juice Stall in Israel: Meeting Jacob, a Modern Watchman
As Jacob prepared my pomegranate juice, I started noticing details everywhere—Bible verses displayed around the stall, crosses, and two worship flags gently waving as if they’d claimed the space long before we arrived. Worship music played openly, unapologetically filling the air.
Jacob greeted us with warmth and humility. As we talked, I noticed something unexpected: he had written the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit directly onto the pomegranate itself. Not on a sign. Not on a flyer. On the pomegranate.
Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-control.
What struck me most wasn’t just his creativity—it was his posture. He never mentioned that he’d been interviewed by a popular Christian YouTube channel, So Be It. A regular customer teased him, saying, “You’re famous—you should start your own channel.”
Jacob smiled and replied,
“I don’t use social media, and I’m not interested in fame. I want to avoid self-worship.”
Oof. That one landed.
In a world chasing visibility, Jacob had quietly chosen faithfulness over recognition.
👉 You can watch his full story here
A Living Scripture at Jaffa Gate
Standing there, juice in hand, something clicked in my spirit. Jacob wasn’t just a juice vendor. He was living out Scripture.
“On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen;
all the day and all the night they shall never be silent.
You who put the LORD in remembrance, take no rest,
and give Him no rest until He establishes Jerusalem
and makes it a praise in the earth.”
(Isaiah 62:6–7)
Jacob was one of those watchmen at Gaffa Gate.
Not standing on the walls with a trumpet—but faithfully proclaiming the Lord’s name at a city gate. Writing Scripture on fruit. Playing worship music. Choosing humility. Refusing fame. Showing up day after day.
His juice stall wasn’t just a business.
It was a lighthouse.
Creativity Offered to God
Watching Jacob stirred something deep within me. How many times have I doubted my own calling as a designer and artist? How often have I measured faithfulness by visibility instead of obedience?
Jacob reminded me that creativity offered to God—no matter how small—becomes sacred. There is creativity driven by validation, and creativity shaped by obedience. One seeks applause; the other quietly trusts that faithfulness is enough.
He consecrated his work.
And because of that, his ordinary juice stall became a place of encounter.
Jaffa Gate and the Gatewatchers of God’s Kingdom
Jaffa Gate has witnessed centuries of history—pilgrims, empires, conflict, prayer. And there stood Jacob, a modern-day gatewatcher, quietly shining light in a place many would pass without noticing.
He was bold without being loud. Faithful without needing attention. A reminder that God still places His watchmen in ordinary spaces—calling His name, refusing silence, and standing firm until Jerusalem becomes a praise in the earth.
Ending the Year with Faith: Small Acts, Eternal Impact
As 2026 comes to a close, I hope this Israel story reminds you that no act of faith is too small. The prayers you whisper. The creativity you offer quietly. The daily choices to remain faithful—they matter.
Just as Jacob turned a humble pomegranate into a declaration of God’s glory, you can bring light into your own corner of the world.
As you step into a new year, may you remember your own “Jacob moments”—the unexpected places where God met you, refreshed you, and gently reminded you that He is still at work.
Thank you for walking this year with Israel in prayer. Thank you for believing that ordinary people and ordinary places can become extraordinary through God.
May 2027 bring you joy, courage, and more moments where faith shines quietly—but powerfully.
Keep shining.
Keep praying.
Keep believing.