When people think of Palestine, they normally assume that this territory is primarily ruled and inhabited by our brothers and sisters who practice the Muslim faith. The truth however is that majority of Christians who live in the Holy Land do so from Palestinian territory.
In fact, Bethlehem, the place of birth of the Lord and Savior of Christians everywhere, falls entirely in the West Bank which is under the administrative control of the Palestinian Authority.
Making Bethlehem a major site for Christian pilgrimage.
Bethlehem's name means “House of Bread” in Hebrew (Beit Lehem) and “House of Meat” in Arabic (Bayt Lahm). Geez those two groups can never seem to agree on anything!
The city thrives on religious tourism and is actually just a mere 10km south of Jerusalem. However, since the two cities are technically under different countries, pilgrims must go through Israeli-controlled Checkpoint 300 to enter it.
When waiting one's turn to enter the Palestinian Territory, do checkout the Separation Wall, built by Israel in the early 2000s, featuring powerful political murals and street art, including pieces by Banksy.
Consistently all year round but especially around Christmas, pilgrims flock to the city to visit the main sites of Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity.
Manger Square is the central plaza of Bethlehem, and is often filled with celebrations, carolers, and pilgrims.
The Church of the Nativity is one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world. It was originally commissioned in 327 CE by Emperor Constantine the Great and his mother, Saint Helena.
The church marks the traditional spot where Jesus was born, inside a cave-like space beneath the main altar.
The main entrance is known as the "Door of Humility", a small, low door that forces visitors to bow as they enter. The faithful like to explain that the doorway's diminished size is a symbol of spiritual humility and modesty before God
The truth however is much more practical as it was actually reduced during the Ottoman period in the 6th century to prevent looters and horsemen from entering the sacred site with carts or horses. Today, you can still see the outline of the original doorway.
Entering the Church, don't be surprised if you feel dismayed or disappointed by the rather modest appearance of the Church, especially compared to the rest of the churches in the Holy Land.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (designated in 2012), listed as being “in danger” due to deterioration, though restoration is ongoing. A trapdoor in the nave reveals original Constantinian mosaic flooring, visible through glass panels.
As with the other critical sites in the Holy Land, the building is managed by three Christian denominations: the Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Roman Catholic (or Latin) churches.
The focal point of the Church is the Grotto of the Nativity, which marks Christ's actual birth spot with a 14-point silver star inscribed with: “Here Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary.”
The Nativity Icon above the altar is of Greek Orthodox origin and features gold-leaf halos and stylized figures.
The star in the Grotto is often kissed or touched by pilgrims and is considered one of the most sacred Christian sites on Earth.
Local guides note that early morning visits offer the best chance to experience the Grotto in peaceful silence, before the tour groups arrive.
The basilica has survived invasions, including Persian, Crusader, and Ottoman periods, and was spared during the Persian invasion of 614 supposedly because the invaders saw a mosaic of the Magi in Persian dress.
Extensive restoration efforts began in 2013 and have uncovered ancient mosaics, wooden beams, and ceiling artwork.
The church contains over 40 columns made of red limestone, some of which bear faded Crusader-era paintings.
The Catholic section is called the Church of St. Catherine, where Midnight Mass is held and broadcast worldwide on Christmas Eve.
Administered by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Church of St. Catherine works as a parish church and Franciscan monastery.
For genealogy buffs, the Church also contains the "Tree of Jesse", a piece displaying the genealogy of Jesus from Abraham through Joseph.
Apart from Franciscan friars, the Church of the Nativity complex is also home to Armenian monks, and Greek Orthodox clergy; each with distinct liturgical spaces.
The cloisters make for good reflection amid fresh outdoor air.
Below St. Catherine’s is a network of several chapels and grottoes:
Such as the Chapel of the Holy Innocents, which commemorates the children killed by Herod and is said to contain hundreds of tiny skulls and bones.
As well as the Chapel of St. Jerome, the underground cell where tradition holds St. Jerome labored for over 30 years working on his most significant achievement of translating the Bible into Latin based on original Greek and Hebrew texts; thus creating the standard version of the Bible for the Catholic Church. He also wrote commentaries on many books of the Bible, including the prophets, giving detailed explanations of scripture.
He was a key figure in the early Christian Church, a Doctor of the Church, and patron saint of librarians, scholars, and translators.
And finally the Chapel of St. Joseph, believed to be the place where Joseph the carpenter stayed after Jesus' birth and where an angel warned him to flee to Egypt with Mary and infant Jesus to escape Herod's wrath.
A few years later, the Holy Family was living in Nazareth, and St. Joseph resumed his trade as a carpenter. The Church of St. Joseph stands on the site believed to be the family's home and Joseph's carpentry workshop.
It was in Nazareth that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus lived together, with Joseph teaching his craft to Jesus.
The church is a significant pilgrimage site honoring Saint Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus and husband of Mary; revered for his role in the Holy Family.
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