Where God Was Born: A Tour Inside the Holy Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

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The Gospels tell us that Jesus was born in cave or stable in Bethlehem “because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2.7) There, our Lord â€" God made man â€" was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. What a blessed place!

The Church has always held this place in high esteem, which is why at the beginning of the fourth century a small chapel was built around it so that everyone could visit it.

Unfortunately, this chapel was destroyed in a revolt in the 6th century. Soon after, though, when a period of peace reigned, the Emperor Justinian ordered that the chapel be rebuilt, but now much larger â€" it would be a basilica! It is precisely this basilica that continues to this day.

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The upper part of the Altar of the Nativity, above the place believed to be where Jesus was born. / iz4aks, Wikipedia, CC BY 2.0

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Underneath the Altar of the Nativity is the place believe to be where Jesus was born, marked with a star. / Public Domain, Wikipedia

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Christmas Eve in Manger Square outside the Basilica. / Footballkickit, Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0