|
|
 ocated in the province of Judeah, Bethlehem derived its name from the bread that its inhabitants baked from the wheat grown in the surrounding fields ("lehem" means bread). |
 acob’s youngest son, Benjamin, was born in Bethlehem and his mother Rachel died here. Her tomb is located near the city. David, the son of Jesse, was also born here. In this mountainous desert terrain David shepherded his flock until he was anointed King of Israel. Jesus Christ, the seed of King David, son of Bethlehem, and scion of Jesse, was born in Bethlehem. It was here that an angel announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds of Bethlehem. |
 Click to enlarge
|
|
Luke 2:1-7
Now at this time Caesar Augustus issued a decree for a census of the whole world to be taken. This census - the first - took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria, and everyone went to his own town to be registered. So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee and travelled up to Judaea, to the town of David called Bethlehem, since he was of David’s House and line, in order to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to a son, her first-born.
|
|
The Church of the Nativity
|
Click to enlarge
|
 he splendid Church of the Nativity was founded by Constantine and Helene in the year 326 A.D. Through an elegant, lavishly decorated basilica, the builders sought to immortalize the manger where Jesus was born, and create a place for gathering and prayer. The church is built in two separate parts. Above the Nativity Cave is the area of the commemoration and the basilica, and the western section is for worship. The church that stands today was built in the 6th century by Justinian, and remains in its original state. In the 12th century, it was restored by local artists who added a bell tower. Another reconstruction was undertaken during the 17th centry. In the center, accessed through a low entrance, is a spacious sanctuary situated between two columns of pillars. In the past, these were adorned with paintings including one of the prophet Elijah. |
|
The Grotto of the Nativity
Under the sanctuary is the grotto, which can be reached by two stairways. The exact place of birth is marked on the east side of the cave by a star. The star is made of silver and has 14 rays representing the 14 generations from Abraham to David, the 14 generations from David to the exile to Babylon, and the 14 generations from the exile of Babylon to the birth of Jesus. (Matthew 1:17, Luke 3:23-38). An opening in the center of the star provides a view of the natural rock of the cave. The original star, first affixed in 1717, disappeared in 1847 (this disappearance was one of the reasons for the Crimean War between Russia and France). The present star was given to the church by the Greeks in 1852. Over the star are the remains of a mosaic depicting the birth of Christ that once covered the vaulted ceiling of the cave.
|
|
Matthew 2:1-5
After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews?’ they asked. ‘We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ‘At Bethlehem in Judaea,’ they told him.
|
Click to enlarge
|
|
Shepherds' Field
 t was in Shepherds’ Field that the angel proclaimed to the shepherds that Jesus would be born in nearby Bethlehem.
|
|
Luke 2:8-14
In the countryside close by there were shepherds who lived in the fields and took it in turns to watch their flocks during the night. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone round them. They were terrified, but the angel said, ‘Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people.
|
 |
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly with the angel there was a great throng of the heavenly host, praising God and singing: ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy his favor.’
|
|
|
Print version
