Several of the trapped Chilean miners indicated their faith helped them endure their ordeal. And now, in an effort to encourage them to translate that faith into action, into a "spiritual journey", the government of Israel has invited the miners and their families to an all expense paid trip to Israel as an inspirational Christmas present.

"Your bravery and strength of spirit, your great faith that helped you survive so long in the bowels of the earth, was an inspiration to us all," the tourism minister wrote in his invitation. "It would be a great honor for us to welcome you as our guests in the Holy Land."

"This December, Christians around the world - and here in the Land of Jesus - will celebrate Christmas. During that time, we welcome tens of thousands of pilgrims and we would be pleased to offer you this uplifting and extraordinary experience, as our guests."

The Tourism Ministry invitation includes flights, hotels and full board for 5-7 days, as well as sightseeing tours and visits to holy sites.

And if they want, perhaps they could do a bit of mining. King Solomon's copper mines are long gone but there is some mineral mining there.