Church of the Nativity

Bethlehem on its ridge, seen across terraced fields and olive trees, c. 1890–1900.Photochrom, Library of Congress · no known restrictions on publication

In the Bible

Joseph went up from Nazareth to Bethlehem with Mary; there she gave birth to her Son and laid Him in a manger. Later Magi from the east came to worship Him.

Luke 2:4–7So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born. And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Matt 2:1–11After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and learned from them the exact time the star had appeared. And sending them to Bethlehem, he said: “Go and search carefully for the Child, and when you find Him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship Him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great delight. On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Tradition

By a tradition known in the 2nd century, Jesus was born in a cave here; a silver star in the grotto beneath the church marks the place.

Here today

Justinian's 6th-century basilica on the site of Constantine's 4th-century church, with the Grotto of the Nativity beneath the altar.

Through the eyes of old pilgrims

Two miles from thence, on the left hand, is Bethlehem, where our Lord Jesus Christ was born. A basilica has been built there by the orders of Constantine.The Bordeaux Pilgrim, 333

… they took us below ground, and into a grotto cut in the living rock. This was the “manger” where Christ was born. A silver star set in the floor bears a Latin inscription to that effect. It is polished with the kisses of many generations of worshiping pilgrims.Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad, 1869

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Land outlines: Natural Earth (public domain).