Church of the Nativity
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Bethlehem (/ ˈ b ɛ θ l ɪ h ɛ m /; Arabic: بيت لحم, Bayt Laḥm, pronunciation ⓘ; Hebrew: בֵּית לֶחֶם Bēṯ Leḥem) is a city in the Israeli-occupied West Bank of the State of Palestine, located about ten kilometres (six miles) south of Jerusalem.
- Bethlehemi
- State of Palestine
- 1400 BCE (est.)
- Bethlehem
Mar 12, 2024 · Bethlehem, town in the West Bank, situated in the Judaean Hills 5 miles (8 km) south of Jerusalem. According to the Gospels (Matthew 2; Luke 2), Bethlehem was the site of the Nativity of Jesus Christ.
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- Where Was Jesus Born and Why?
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The Gospels of Matthew and Luke tell us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 2:4-20). But how did Mary and Joseph find themselves so far from their hometown of Nazareth at a time so close to Mary’s delivery? The explanation begins with Caesar Augustus, the Emperor of Rome, who ruled from 27 BC-14 AD. Historians have branded Caesar...
1. Bethlehem means house of bread
Bethlehem is located in the hill country right outside of Jerusalem. A mild climate and plentiful rainfall, ensure that the town’s fields, orchards, and vineyards thrive into consistently bountiful harvests. The fertile land is probably why the area was first called Bethlehem or Beit Lehem, which means, “house of bread.” In His divine sovereignty, God would later appoint this town as the birthplace of His Son who would declare, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry...
2. Bethlehem was considered a tiny, insignificant town
Instead of choosing the holy city of Jerusalem as Jesus, the King of Kings, birthplace, God selected a town so small that it wasn’t even listed in the registry of towns in Joshua 15 or Nehemiah 11. Not only was this unusual act the fulfillment of messianic prophecy (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:6), but the Savior’s humble birthplace demonstrates God’s greatness. As John Piperexplains, “God chose something small, quiet, out of the way, and did something there that changes the course of history and ete...
3. Scripture foretold the Messiah’s Birth in Bethlehem
700 years before Jesus was born, the prophet Micah prophesied that Bethlehem would be the Messiah’s birthplace. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2) God used the Roman Empire’s greedy taxation practices to draw Mary and Joseph to the appointed place of Christ’s birth at the appointed time.
Bethlehem is the home to over 27,000 residents today. Those who live in Bethlehem are considered citizens of Palestine. Two million tourists provide 65% of the town’s wealth. Christians from all over the world travel to Bethlehem to see and experience the birthplace of Jesus Christ. The Church of the Nativity, built around AD 327, still stands in t...
Learn how Bethlehem was selected by God as the birthplace of Jesus, why Mary and Joseph had to travel there for the census, and what Scriptures foretold His birth in this small town. Discover the historical and biblical significance of Bethlehem, the house of bread, the city of David, and the place of Rachel's burial.
Visit the Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, where Christians believe Jesus was born. Learn about the history, architecture and significance of this holy place and its surroundings.
Sep 14, 2020 · Learn about the history, geography, and significance of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ and the City of David. Discover how this ancient town connects with the Old and New Testament stories of the Bible, the early Canaanite settlers, the prophet Micah, and the Christian pilgrimage.
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Dec 22, 2017 · Explore the history and culture of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ and the site of ancient art and conflict. Learn about the water, the lovers, the pilgrims, and the wall that shaped this town.
Bethlehem is a city in Northampton and Lehigh Counties in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, United States. [5] . As of the 2020 census, Bethlehem had a total population of 75,781, making it the second-largest city in the Lehigh Valley after Allentown and the seventh-largest city in the state. [6] .
