The Church of The Nativity
Miracles Do Come True!
There are countless Christian landmarks around the world. From the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to the Vatican, everyday flock to these venues as a way to feel a closer connection with God. However, the oldest location for Christian worship in the holy land is the Church of the Nativity. The Church of the Nativity is located in Bethlehem and holds prominence as the location of the birth of Jesus Christ. As a result, thousands of Christian visit the special and holy location every year.
The History of the Church of the Nativity
because there was no place for them in the inn. ~Luke 2:7
The Gospels of Luke and Matthew indicate that the birth of Jesus took place in Bethlehem. The location of the birthplace of Jesus was recognized by Christians as early as 135 A.D. through Emperor Hadrian. The physical building of the Church of the Nativity didn’t take place until 326 by Emperor Constantine I and was overseen by his mother, Empress Helena. Empress Helena, later Saint Helena, also encouraged her son to build the Church of the Holy Sepulchre after finding the true cross of Jesus Christ.
Although the Church of the Nativity has gone through several structural changes over the centuries, it has (and continues to remain) a Christian landmark. Whereas other holy locations all over the world have been taken over by other religions, the Church of the Nativity has remained in Christian hands which is even more reason why so many Christians have a special devotion to this Church. Christians have a firm belief that God has, and continues to, protect this Church for Christians all over the world and calls Christians to make special pilgrimages and make a prayer request to this location.
The Church of the Nativity Today
Although The Church of the Nativity is a location that welcomes an abundance of tourists during Christmastime, the Church is open to Christians throughout the year. Since there are different denominations of Christianity that lay claim to the Church, the different sects oversee the various parts of the Church. Some of the main aspects of the Church include:
The Grotto of the Nativity is the physical place where Jesus was born. This location is under the main altar of the Church and is marked by a 14-point silver star with an inscription written in Latin. Translated to English, the inscription reads, “Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary”. These 14 points are meant to represent different aspects of the genealogy of Jesus.
This section of the Church is likely the most recognizable. Maintained by the Greek Orthodox sect of Christianity, this area features a beautiful array of sanctuary lamps as well as five aisles of Corinthian columns and stunning mosaics paying homage to God and all of His glory.
The Church of the Nativity is also connected to the Church of St. Catherine as well as a myriad of tombs from some of the prominent figures in the Catholic faith including St. Jerome who is recognized as being a Doctor of the Catholic church.
Opening Hours
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Summer Hours (April - September)
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6:30 AM - 7:30PM
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Winter Hours (October - March)
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5:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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The Grotto is Closed on Sunday Morning