The Church of the Nativity in BethlehemThe procession of the Patriarch’s entrance into the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem "So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David"&(Luke 2: 4) "So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:4-7).&&Emperor Constantine built the Church of the Nativity in the fourth century.
It was one of the first three churches to be built in the Holy Land: the other two are the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem and the Church of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives. The Church of the Nativity was completely destroyed in the mid-sixth century, during the reign of Emperor Justinian, and a new church–the current church–was built in its place.
During the twelfth century the church underwent extensive renovation and new parts were added, including the bell tower and the Church of Saint Catherine, which was rebuilt in 1880. The church's structure survives to this day, though the Muslims and the Turks looted and destroyed almost everything of value inside it, including ornaments, marble slabs, and even the lead roof. During the twentieth century the church was renovated and parts of it restored. &&The Grotto of the Nativity is located beneath the church.
The spot on which Jesus' birth took place is marked by a silver star on the eastern side of the cave. The star has fourteen points–the number of stations on the Via Dolorosa. The manger is in the Chapel of the Magi, on a lower level to the south. The Christmas Midnight Mass held at the Church of the Nativity is broadcast all around the world.
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:4-7).&&Emperor Constantine built the Church of the Nativity in the fourth century.
It was one of the first three churches to be built in the Holy Land: the other two are the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem and the Church of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives. The Church of the Nativity was completely destroyed in the mid-sixth century, during the reign of Emperor Justinian, and a new church–the current church–was built in its place.
During the twelfth century the church underwent extensive renovation and new parts were added, including the bell tower and the Church of Saint Catherine, which was rebuilt in 1880. The church's structure survives to this day, though the Muslims and the Turks looted and destroyed almost everything of value inside it, including ornaments, marble slabs, and even the lead roof. During the twentieth century the church was renovated and parts of it restored. &&The Grotto of the Nativity is located beneath the church.
The spot on which Jesus' birth took place is marked by a silver star on the eastern side of the cave. The star has fourteen points–the number of stations on the Via Dolorosa. The manger is in the Chapel of the Magi, on a lower level to the south. The Christmas Midnight Mass held at the Church of the Nativity is broadcast all around the world.
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