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Where God Was Born: Inside the Holy Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem
What a blessed place!
The Gospels tell us that Jesus was born in a cave or stable in Bethlehem “because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2.7) There, our Lord – God made man – was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. What a blessed place!
The Church has always held this place in high esteem, which is why at the beginning of the fourth century a small chapel was built around it so that everyone could visit it.
Unfortunately, this chapel was destroyed in a revolt in the sixth century. Soon after, though, when a period of peace reigned, Emperor Justinian ordered that the chapel be rebuilt, but now much larger – it would be a basilica! It is precisely this basilica that continues to this day.
Here’s a tour of this holy place:
The exterior / Wayne McLean, Wikipedia, CC BY 2.0
The Door of Humility, entrance to the church. / Ian and Wendy Sewell, Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Inside / Public Domain, Wikipedia
Inside / Public Domain, Wikipedia
The upper part of the Altar of the Nativity, above the place believed to be where Jesus was born. / iz4aks, Wikipedia, CC BY 2.0
Underneath the Altar of the Nativity is the place believe to be where Jesus was born, marked with a star. / Public Domain, Wikipedia
Icon in the church. / Ian and Wendy Sewell, Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Christmas Eve in Manger Square outside the Basilica. / Footballkickit, Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0
Thank you, Jesus, for coming to save us! Merry Christmas!
This article was originally published at ChurchPOP.