The end of the spur on which ancient Bethlehem sat falls away quickly to the east, to the Beit Sahour basin. Here are wide tracts of land and rich, fertile fields suitable for grain. The soils of the Beit Sahour basin are a nice mixture of red clay terra rosa and softer, somewhat chalky rendzinas—a combination that ensures adequate nutrients and soil that can easily be plowed. Just beyond, where rainfall amounts drop below the twelve-inch thirty cm annual minimum necessary for wheat, the soils are immature and unproductive and the overall shape of the land morphs into the chalky, barren Wilderness of Judah.

With it, permanent settlement gives way to transient encampments of sheep and goats as shepherds follow the seasons in search of watering holes and grazing land compare Pss ; — For the residents of Jerusalem, the view into this eastern wilderness is largely blocked by the Mount of Olives, a geographical reality that tends to isolate Jerusalem from its larger environment.

Bethlehem has no Mount of Olives-type ridge to the east, and the view afforded its residents is a wide open downward expanse, over the wheat fields of the Beit Sahour basin and into the pallid, undulating hills of the Judean Wilderness.

This topography tends to associate Bethlehem with the natural environment of shepherds, even though the village itself sits high in the fertile hill country of Judea. All textual and archaeological evidence—which is scant—indicates that the Bethlehem of the Old and the New Testaments was but a village. Very little archaeological work has been done at the site except in connection with the Church of the Nativity. The oldest settlement seems to have been east of the biblical town in the Beit Sahour basin.

Only with the advent of cistern technology in the Iron Age did settlement move to the top of the ridge now occupied by the Church of the Nativity and Manger Square. This is an area that otherwise lacks natural sources of water and where settlement is somewhat restricted by a topography which drops away to the east, north, and south. Bethlehem enjoyed a pleasant local economy and controlled an important crossroads on the watershed ridge where roads ascend from Tekoa and the Herodium in the southeast and from the Elah Valley in the southwest , but the city seems to always have sat in the shadow of Jerusalem and Hebron, its larger neighbors north and south.

All indications suggest that this was still the case at the time of Jesus. The nature of a katalyma The birth of Jesus is a Bethlehem story that fits nicely with what is known of the cultural and geographical context of the village in the first century ad.

Travel in the region was a dangerous enterprise in ancient times, and finding a safe place to spend the night posed a particularly difficult challenge see Judg A traveler preferred to stay with extended family or, if that were not possible, where he or she could claim prior connections e. When in the katalyma, the traveler received the hospitality and protection of the family who lived there. That story reflects travel conditions that could be found on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho, a route essentially absent of houses and hence guest-rooms.

The Mishnah m. Yebamot also mentions an inn on the road from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea, though likely from a later period. In any case, it seems as though proper inns were not a significant part of first century ad Judea, and that travelers who were fortunate enough not to overnight in the open typically stayed in a katalyma instead. Israeli media claimed that the Christians inside were being held hostage, [53] however, parishioners inside the church say they and the church were treated with respect.

The site was approved under criteria four and six. Many roof timbers are rotting, and have not been replaced since the 19th century. The rainwater that seeps into the building not only accelerates the rotting of the wood and damages the structural integrity of the building, but also damages the 12th-century wall mosaics and paintings. The influx of water also means that there is an ever-present chance of an electrical fire.

If another earthquake were to occur on the scale of the one of , the result would most likely be catastrophic. It is hoped that the listing will encourage its preservation, including getting the three custodians of the church—the Greek Orthodox Church, the Armenian Orthodox Church, and the Franciscan order—to work together, which has not happened for hundreds of years.

The Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority would also have to work together to protect it. In the following year, an international consortium team of experts from different Universities, under the supervision of Prof.

Claudio Alessandri University of Ferrara, Italy , was given the task of planning and coordinating the restoration works. Logistics and organisation[ edit ] In , the Palestinian Authority announced that a multimillion-dollar restoration programme was imminent. The works came to an end in Discoveries[ edit ] Italian restoration workers uncovered a seventh surviving mosaic angel in July , which was previously hidden under plaster.

The Grotto of the Nativity is situated right underneath the chancel, with the silver star at its eastern end top side of the plan. North is to the left The centrepiece of the Nativity complex is the Grotto of the Nativity, a cave which enshrines the site where Jesus is said to have been born. The core of the complex connected to the Grotto consists of the Church of the Nativity itself, and the adjoining Roman Catholic Church of St.

Catherine north of it. Outer courtyard[ edit ] Bethlehem's main city square, Manger Square , is an extension of the large paved courtyard in front of the Church of the Nativity and St Catherine's. Here crowds gather on Christmas Eve to sing Christmas carols in anticipation of the midnight services. Basilica of the Nativity[ edit ] Interior—northern aisles left and chancel right —before the latest renovations The chancel with gilded iconostasis The main Basilica of the Nativity is maintained by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

It is designed like a typical Roman basilica, with five aisles formed by Corinthian columns , and an apse in the eastern end containing the sanctuary. The basilica is entered through a very low door called the "Door of Humility. A complex array of sanctuary lamps is placed throughout the entire building.

The open ceiling exposes the wooden rafters, recently restored. The previous 15th-century restoration used beams donated by King Edward IV of England , who also donated lead to cover the roof; however, this lead was taken by the Ottoman Turks , who melted it down for ammunition to use in war against Venice. Stairways on either side of the chancel lead down to the Grotto. Grotto of the Nativity[ edit ] Grotto of the Nativity, fourteen-point silver star under the main altar marking the traditional spot of Jesus' birth The Grotto of the Nativity, the place where Jesus is said to have been born, is an underground space which forms the crypt of the Church of the Nativity.

It is situated underneath its main altar, and it is normally accessed by two staircases on either side of the chancel. The grotto is part of a network of caves, which are accessed from the adjacent Church St Catherine's. The tunnel-like corridor connecting the Grotto to the other caves is normally locked. The cave has an eastern niche said to be the place where Jesus was born, which contains the Altar of Nativity.

It was installed by the Catholics in , removed — allegedly by the Greeks — in , and replaced by the Turkish government in The star is set into the marble floor and surrounded by 15 silver lamps representing the three Christian communities: six belong to the Greek Orthodox, four to the Catholics, and five to the Armenian Apostolic.

The significance of the 14 points on the star is to represent the three sets of 14 generations in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. In the middle of the 14 pointed star is a circular hole, through which one can reach in to touch the stone that is said to be the original stone that Mary laid on when she gave birth to Jesus.

The Altar of the Magi is located directly opposite from the manger site. Church of St. Catherine[ edit ] The adjoining Church of St. Catherine is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria , built in a more modern Gothic Revival style.

It has been further modernized according to the liturgical trends which followed Vatican II. Certain customs in this Midnight Mass predate Vatican II, but must be maintained because the Status Quo was legally fixed by a firman decree in under the Ottoman Empire , which is still in force today. The bas-relief of the Tree of Jesse is a 3. It represents an olive tree as the Tree of Jesse , displaying the genealogy of Jesus from Abraham through Joseph, as well as symbolism from the Old Testament.

The upper portion is dominated by a crowned figure of Christ the King in an open-armed pose blessing the Earth. It is situated along the passage used by pilgrims making their way to the Grotto of the Nativity.

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It was St. She designated the location as a pilgrimage hotspot on the world map. Paula, who was the most renowned of the group. Unfortunately, the church she helped to build is no longer in existence. In a mutiny, the Samaritans set fire to the building. Two churches that were built in the same style are likewise no longer standing. However, the cave still exists, albeit in a different form.

Bethlehem is today a hostage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. You had a frontline view when you worked with paramedics in Bethlehem during theintifada. Tell us about that experience—and how it shaped your view of the conflict. The conflict between Israel and Palestine reached a boiling point in late My mother-in-law, who had become a widow at that time, was residing there at the time. The Israeli army, led by Ariel Sharon, invaded and occupied the West Bank on the Monday after Easter Sunday in , capturing all of the cities there, including Bethlehem.

The Israeli forces finally pushed inside the ancient souk region and encircled the Church of the Nativity, which was destroyed in the war. There was a suggestion that ambulances might be permitted to operate during the curfew provided they were accompanied by European citizens. There was an attempt by militants to respond to Israeli brutality with further violence, but Palestinian cities were battered as a result of the conflict.

You have the impression that you are living as one of the vanquished if you have to go through it. Israeli forces captured control of a pumping station at Kfar Etzion in the Bethlehem governorate in The station eventually became the site of a settlement and is now used to distribute water to Palestinians in the Hebron and Bethlehem areas.

There are now 42 communities in the area surrounding the town. It is a jail in the open air. Banksy first appeared in the UK in There are conflicting emotions in Bethlehem regarding it. Others believe that he is attempting to bring attention to the wall. Palestinians are known for having a fantastic sense of humour. Explain what you mean—and how you see the future for Bethlehem.

As a result of the holocaust that occurred with the establishment of the Turkish state in the early twentieth century, it became a refuge for Armenians and Syriacs. When Israel was established in , it became a haven for Palestinians escaping the establishment of the Jewish state. Each wave has radically altered the town, yet the town has managed to hold on to its identity. The length and clarity of this interview have been adjusted for readability. Book Talk is curated by Simon Worrall. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem Shepherds and monarchs gathered in a barn to adore Jesus.

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Geneva is home to John Calvin and the four syndics. Westminster Abbey is located in London. There was originally a church there, which was completed in , and the edifice that rebuilt it following a fire in the 6th century still has magnificent floor mosaics from the previous structure. The property also comprises churches and convents belonging to the Latin, Greek Orthodox, Franciscan, and Armenian faiths, as well as bell towers, terraced gardens, and a pilgrimage path.

The complex also includes a number of churches and monasteries, including Greek, Latin, Orthodox, Franciscan, and Armenian structures, as well as cloisters, terraced gardens, and a pilgrimage path across the area. It may be found at 3. Beginning in the second century A. When the city was first established in A. A first church was built in B. Suelos de mosaico extraordinariamente elaborados, originating from the original structure, have been preserved in the current church.

The site also includes conventos and churches of several denominations, including latinas, Greeks, Orthodoxes, Franciscans, and Armenians, as well as campanarios, terraced gardens, and a pilgrimage route. In , a church was dedicated for the first time in history. In the sixth century, a brand was established. The current church, which retains the original vernacular, still has the whole set of vloermozaeken from the original church.

Historically, people have thought that Jesus was born at the location where the Church of the Nativity presently stands Bethlehem from at least the second century AD. In one specific cave, over which the first Church was erected, there is a long-held belief that the actual Birthplace of Christ took place.

When it comes to pinpointing the Nativity, the location is significant since it both represents the beginnings of Christianity and is one of the holiest sites in all of Christendom. This church is covered by the current Church of the Nativity, which dates mostly from the mid-6th century AD Justinian , but it has undergone some modifications since then. Since the early Middle Ages, the Church has gradually been assimilated into a larger complex of other religious structures, mostly monastic in nature.

Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity have been, and continue to be, a popular pilgrimage destination for more than years, at various times in history. Year after year, at Christmas festivities in Bethlehem, the Route is commemorated as the path taken by Joseph and Mary on their journey to Bethlehem, and it is ceremonially followed by the Patriarchs of the three churches at their various Christmas celebrations and formal trips to Bethlehem.

As well as for the manner that over years, the fabric of the Church of the Nativity and its affiliations have come together to represent the immense spiritual and political effect that Christianity has had on human history. Mary Major on the site believed to be associated with It is directly related with the birth of Jesus, an event of remarkable international significance, as evidenced by the fact that its structures were created in the 4th century AD and re-constructed in the 6th century AD, and that it is located on the Pilgrimage Route leading to it.

Integrity The Church of the Nativity and its architectural ensemble, which includes the Armenian, Franciscan, and Greek Orthodox Convents, as well as an area of terraced ground to the east and a short portion of the Pilgrimage Route, are all included in the purchase of the property.

As a result, it encompasses all of the structures that serve as the focal point of pilgrimage, as well as the cave that is believed to be the birthplace of Jesus. This evidence has not yet been properly analyzed and is generally intact. These trees are not a part of the land, but they constitute an important component of the approach to the church and should be safeguarded and conserved. New buildings, some of which are vast in scale, are disrupting the traditional urban fabric in the vicinity of the Church of the Nativity, resulting in a detrimental impact on views to and from the property, as well as on its sense of place and religious connections.

The three churches that have taken up residence on the site are responsible for maintaining its sacredness. This commemoration and rebuilding bear witness to a seventeen hundred year-old tradition of believing that this grotto was, in fact, the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Despite the fact that the majority of the existing church dates back to the 6th century AD, it still contains a portion of the 4th century floor and some of its walls and columns.

The Crusades, which resulted in one of the most significant increases in pilgrimage activity, are reflected in the additions made in the 12th century. The buildings of one of the monastery complexes date back to at least the 12th century, and there is evidence of earlier monastic structures beneath the other complexes that date back to the 12th century.

To ensure that repair and restoration respect as much as possible of the existing fabric, which is essential to understanding the significance of the church, all elements of the church associated with the original church, its rebuilding in the 6thcentury, and its alterations in the 12thcentury must be clearly identified and a conservation plan agreed upon. The current lack of control over development, traffic, and tourism in the immediate urban surroundings of the Church poses a threat to this relationship as well as the ability of the property to convey fully its spiritual connections to those who visit it.

An advisory council appointed by the Palestinian President now serves as a complement to the management structure. The advisory committee, which was established by the Palestinian president in full cooperation with the three churches in charge of the church, has developed a technical plan for the restoration of the roof of the Church of the Nativity.

The intervention to repair the roof of the church was identified as a priority by the multinational team that worked on the plan, and the work is likely to begin later this year or early next. One of the objectives of such a Strategy should be to synthesize the conclusions of the detailed investigative reports into a concise statement that expresses the significance of each element within the context of a comprehensive conservation philosophy relevant to the proposed work.

A Management Plan for the entire property will be developed by the Committee established to oversee the roof repairs, and this plan should define an overall management system for the entire property, including the roof repairs. It is a sacred pilgrimage place for Christians from all over the world, and it is located in Italy.

The Church of the Nativity, the oldest surviving church in the world, is located in the center of the Judeau Mountain Range, wedged between Israel and Jordan. As a result of the ongoing census, it is thought that Jesus was born in an animal sanctuary when Mary and Joseph were unable to find accommodation at the overcrowded Inn. The infant was wrapped in swaddling cloths and put in a manger water trough within the cave by the women.

The caverns were utilized as animal shelters and storage facilities, and residences were erected nearby to take use of their location. Helena, the mother of Constantine, commissioned the construction of a church on the ledge above the cave. There are quite a few hotels and restaurants in this area, as well as various souvenir and antique shops to visit: 1. Every aisle or nave contains a number of columns that have been painted with magnificent pictures.

The church is divided into five aisles or naves. The old Basilica, which dates back to the 3rd century, provided portions of the floor mosaics in the octagonal floor that sits right over the grotto where Jesus was born. Become the person of your childhood fantasies! An irregular-shaped cave cut into the side of a soft white rock is the setting for this attraction.

A Franciscan Chapel has been constructed above this grotto and is connected to it by a small passageway. This location has religious significance for both Christians and Muslims, and it is associated with fertility. Mar Saba Monastery Image courtesy of Shutterstock It is located 15 kilometers east of Bethlehem on the cliff edge of the Kidron valley, on the outskirts of the city. Bethlehem is also noted in connection with the Babylonian exile Jeremiah , Ezra , as some of the Jews returning from captivity stayed near Bethlehem on their way to Egypt.

Bethlehem in the New Testament It is Bethlehem's connection with Jesus that has guaranteed its place in Christian history. By the time of Christ's birth , Bethlehem had declined in significance to a small village. Three gospel accounts Matthew —12, Luke —20, and John report that Jesus was born in the humble town of Bethlehem.

At the time Mary was due to give birth, Caesar Augustus decreed that a census be taken. Every person in the Roman world had to go to his own town to register. Joseph , being of the line of David, was required to go to Bethlehem to register with Mary.

While in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to Jesus. Likely due to the census, the inn was too crowded, and Mary gave birth in a crude stable. Shepherds and later wise men came to Bethlehem to worship the Christ-child. King Herod , who was the ruler in Judea, plotted to kill the baby-king by ordering the slaughter of all male children two years old and younger in Bethlehem and surrounding areas Matthew — Present-Day Bethlehem Today, approximately 60, people live in and around the broader Bethlehem area.

The population is divided primarily between Muslims and Christians, the Christians being predominately Orthodox. Under the control of the Palestinian National Authority since , Bethlehem city has experienced chaotic growth and a constant flow of tourism. It is home to one of the most sacred Christian sites in the world. Built by Constantine the Great circa AD , the Church of the Nativity still stands over a cave believed to be the very spot where Jesus was born.

The place of the manger is marked by a pointed silver star, called the star of Bethlehem. The original Church of the Nativity structure was partially destroyed by the Samaritans in A. It is one of the oldest surviving Christian churches in existence today. Fairchild, Mary.

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