A few miles south of Jerusalem, near the edge of the Judean Desert, BETHLEHEM is built on a rocky prominence about 2500 feet above sea level (777 meters). The town is surrounded by terraced hills covered with vineyards, olives, almonds and fig trees.
Its name means `House of Bread in Hebrew, and below the town are fields that reflect this pastoral notion. This area is where the Old Testament book of Ruth recounts that the love story between her and Boaz unfolded. Their son Obed became the grandfather of King David, who was born and first anointed in Bethlehem three thousand years ago, 1 Samuel 16:13
In the center of the town stands THE CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY, built over the traditional site of the Bethlehem manger where Jesus Christ was born.
The gospel of St. Matthew says that the birth took place here in order to fulfill the Old Testament prophecy: `But thou Bethlehem Ephrata, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting, Micah 5:2
The reign of the Emperor Justinian was a time of prosperity and expanded building for the Christian community of the Holy Land. It was, however, far less prosperous for non-Christians, and in 529 the local Samaritan population revolted, extensively damaging many churches including the Basilica of the Nativity.
The church was entirely renovated under Justinian, and later, when the Persians rampaged through the land in 614, destroying every sacred building that fell into their hands, the church was spared thanks to a mosaic depicting the Three Magi dressed in Persian garb.
In 1099, the Crusaders were welcomed as liberators of Bethlehem, when about one hundred knights, sent from the main body of the army, easily took the city on their way to conquering Jerusalem.
An eclipse of the moon the symbol of Islam added to their religious fervor. The Crusaders returned to Bethlehem on Christmas Day the following year, 1100, to celebrate the coronation of Baldwin as the first King of Jerusalem.
After the fall of the Crusader Kingdom, Moslem guards sat at the door collecting fees from the visiting pilgrims. Locals took delight in showing visitors around, pointing out the spot where the Magi had dismounted, the bottomless well into which the star they had followed from the east finally disappeared, and the date palm from whose fruit Joseph and Mary had eaten.
Despite the show, pilgrimage dwindles and Bethlehem suffered badly for centuries, and it was only in the 17th century that Christians were allowed and became interested enough to repair the Church.
The church used to have three entrances. Two have been completely blocked up, and the third and largest doorway the outline of which is still clearly visible - was partially closed to prevent attacking horsemen riding straight into the church. This entrance is now known as THE DOOR OF HUMILITY.
Author Resource:-
This Article was written by Don Achen. A writer for many of the Doko Media books in the Israel gift store. http://www.biblelandshop.net
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