Highhlights of Visiting Bethlehem
The Birthplace of Jesus Open to Christians
A few years ago Christians couldn't visit Bethlehem. Although it's under Palestinian authority, the birthplace of Jesus Christ is now open to tourists.
If you thought you couldn’t get into Bethlehem, take heart. It may be controlled by Palestinians but the birthplace of Jesus Christ welcomes tourists.
When you first enter Bethlehem you go through security so be sure to have your passport ready. Palestinian guides in Bethlehem are eager to show you the town, and their sense of warmth leads you to believe they’re Christians. In fact, there’s a popular eatery called, “The Christmas Tree” decorated with icons of Christian symbols.
Location
Located in the hill country of Judea, Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, is only six miles south of Jerusalem. It's about 100 feet higher than Jerusalem at 2,500 feet above sea level.
This “Little Town of Bethlehem” still isn’t huge, but much larger than the handful of residents who called Bethlehem home when baby Jesus was born there more than 2000 years ago. Most of its population then was transient as we’re told in scripture how all the inns were full at the time when Jesus was to be born.
Today Bethlehem has a population of about 60,000. Christians used to make up a large percentage of the population but have continued to leave. While Christians accounted for more than 85% of the town in 1948, it’s now dwindled down to 12% according to a 2006 census.
Biblical Significance
Besides being the birthplace of Jesus Christ, Bethlehem is also where King David was born as well as where he was anointed king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:4-10).
What’s more, it’s the city where Ruth, the Moabite (the great grandmother of King David) met her husband Boaz while working in surrounding fields. (Ruth 1-4).
It’s also the site of Rachel’s tomb. (Genesis 35:19-20).
Under Palestinian Rule
Since late 1995, Bethlehem has been under full control of the Palestinian National Authority. Not long ago Christian pilgrims to Bethlehem weren’t allowed to visit, but now the ban is lifted. However, if your Holy Land guide is Jewish he (or she) cannot enter, so you’re given a Palestinian guide to tour the sacred sites.
The Church of the Nativity
Situated in the center of the town, The Church of the Nativity was built over the site believed to be where Jesus Christ was born in a manger. The only major surviving church in the Holy Lands from early Christian times, The Church of the Nativity was built around the 4th century A.D. Shortly after the Emperor Constantine was converted to Christianity, his mother Helena built the magnificent church, adorning it with mosaics, frescoes and marble.
The "Star of Bethlehem", a large 14-pointed silver star (in the eastern side of the grotto) designates where it’s believed Jesus was born. A Latin inscription is inscribed in the star reading, HERE JESUS CHRIST WAS BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY.
Across from the star is the place where tradition says Jesus’ mother Mary laid her newborn son in a manger. (Luke 2:7)
Bethlehem has other noteworthy churches and monasteries. The Milk Grotto consecrates where it’s believed Mary hid before fleeing to Egypt. It’s called The Milk Grotto because tradition says a drop of milk dropped to the floor while Mary was nursing baby Jesus.
As you can see, visiting Bethlehem is important to Christians. Its tall white steeples against a rural setting serves as a constant reminder of so many events held sacred to believers everywhere.
