Aubrey, Stephanie, Ian, Rachel, and I in front of the Holy Sepulcher

On Sunday morning we woke up early and left the Center at 6am to make it to the 6:30am Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. It was so interesting because on the front of the Holy Sepulcher the Catholics held their mass. At the same time the Armenians began their service and began chanting and singing loudly. The two services competed with one another as to who could be louder.
I think the Church feels dark and kind of creepy. I definitely don't feel the Spirit there. It's such a dark and old building that has been fought over for hundreds of years. We went into the Holy Sepulcher were supposedly Christ was laid and then resurrected from. Personally, I don't think it's the right place.
It's weird to me that the focus there is so much on the Crucifixion and on Christ's sepulcher. Its a depressing spirit in there. If they believe Christ is risen, why don't they celebrate the fact that He rose and overcame death? It seems to me that the art and decoration in the Church dwells on the sorrow of his death. It feels like they are missing the point
I'm grateful for my knowledge and the doctrine of the Church that focuses on a Living Christ. I know that Christ lives!