Two of the New Testament Gospels report that Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matt. 2:1; Luke 2:4–7). Matthew’s Gospel connects this birth with fulfillment of prophecy (2:6; cf. Mic. 5:2) and reports that magi from the east came to Bethlehem to worship the “king of the Jews” who had been born there (2:1, 9–11). This Gospel also says that King Herod massacred all of the children in Bethlehem under two years of age in a desperate attempt to kill the baby he assumed would be a rival for his throne (2:16–18; cf. Jer. 31:15). In Luke’s Gospel, the baby Jesus is laid in a manger near Bethlehem and shepherds from the surrounding fields respond to an angelic announcement of his birth by coming to worship him (2:4–20).*
Church of the Nativity
The Door of Humility, a small rectangular entrance to the church, was created in Ottoman times to prevent carts being driven in by looters, and to force even the most important visitor to dismount from his horse as he entered the holy place. The doorway was reduced from an earlier Crusader doorway, the pointed arch of which can still be seen above the current door. The outline of the Justinian square entrance can also be seen above the door.
Greek Orthodox service
Grotto of the Nativity
The Grotto of the Nativity, a rectangular cavern beneath the church, is the Church of the Nativity's focal point. Entered by a flight of steps by the church altar, this is the cave that has been honored as the site of Christ's birth since at least the 2nd century.
Jerusalem Cross
Roman Catholic Service
Traditional Birthplace of Jesus Christ
Chapel of the Manger
References *Baly, Denis. “Bethlehem.” Edited by Mark Allan Powell. The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (Revised and Updated). New York: HarperCollins, 2011.
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/bethlehem-church-of-the-nativity
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