[88][93] In 2005, the mayor of Bethlehem, Victor Batarseh, explained that "due to the stress, either physical or psychological, and the bad economic situation, many people are emigrating, either Christians or Muslims, but it is more apparent among Christians, because they already are a minority. [92] Bethlehem's two largest Arab Christian clans trace their ancestry to the Ghassanids, including al-Farahiyyah and an-Najajreh. [51] The Ottoman tax record and census from 1596 indicates that Bethlehem had a population of 1,435, making it the 13th largest village in Palestine at the time. [29] There has been no corroboration of this. Webster's 1828 tells us that the word "incarnation" is "The act of clothing with flesh. Simply put, in biblical times, Palestine was not known as Palestine; it was known as Judea: "Bethlehem of Judea" (Matt. "[full citation needed], A burial ground discovered in spring 2013, and surveyed in 2015 by a joint Italian-Palestinian team found that the necropolis covered 3 hectares (more than 7 acres) and originally contained more than 100 tombs in use between roughly 2200 BCE and 650 BCE. Jesus Christ fulfilled more than 300 prophecies when he came to earth. [107], In 2008, Bethlehem hosted the largest economic conference to date in the Palestinian territories. [9][10] It is now encircled and encroached upon by dozens of Israeli settlements and the Israeli West Bank barrier, which separates both Muslim and Christian communities from their land and livelihoods, and sees a steady exodus from both communities. Jesus had siblings and brothers, James was one of them and he followed Jesus throughout his life. Name. There are two taxi stations that make trips to Beit Sahour, Beit Jala, Jerusalem, Tuqu' and Herodium. Jesus of Nazareth was born and lived in the space of the Middle East called still today Palestine ( country of the Philistines). The women embroiderers of Bethlehem were known for their bridalwear. However, Bethlehem is affected also by annual waves of hot, dry, sandy and dust Khamaseen winds from the Arabian Desert, during April, May and mid-June. Where did Jesus live in his childhood and youth? The truth that He was born is much more meaningful than where and exactly when Jesus was born. It was a significant city in the Bible and is referenced and seen as a backdrop for important events many times. "Joseph took up his quarters in a certain cave near the village; and while they were there Mary brought forth the Christ and placed him in a manger, and here the Magi who came from Arabia found him. [11], The name Bethlehem (Hebrew: Bet Leem (Hebrew pronunciation:[bet leem]), Ancient Greek: Greek pronunciation:[btle.m], Latin: Bethleem) is a combination of the two Hebrew words bayit, house, and leem, bread", thus literally meaning "house of bread", or "house of food". [12], The earliest reference to Bethlehem appears in the Amarna correspondence (c.1400BCE). The center aims to preserve and promote Palestinian embroidery, art and folklore. In the East (eastern Asia Minor, Syria, Palestine, and Egypt), territories were governed either by kings who were "friends and allies" of Rome (often called "client" kings or, more disparagingly, "puppet" kings) or by governors supported by a Roman army. He was called out of Egypt ( Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:15 ). Christians believe Jesus was born through Immaculate Conception. Here, He probably learned building skillscarpentry and stoneworkfrom His father. [63], On December 21, 1995, Israeli troops withdrew from Bethlehem,[64] and three days later the city came under the administration and military control of the Palestinian National Authority in accordance with the Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. [103] Olive wood carvings [104] are the item most purchased by tourists visiting Bethlehem. [8] An American missionary in the 1850s reported a population of under 4,000, nearly all of whom belonged to the Greek Church. It ended with an agreement to exile 13 of the militants to foreign countries. Much more meaningful than where and exactly when Jesus was born is the truth that He was born. [8] William IV, Count of Nevers had promised the Christian bishops of Bethlehem that if Bethlehem should fall under Muslim control, he would welcome them in the small town of Clamecy in present-day Burgundy, France. Official Lyric Video for "Jesus Christ Is Born" by Mac Powell Get song here: https://macpowell.lnk.to/JesusChristI. Israeli citizens are barred from entering Bethlehem and the nearby biblical Solomon's Pools. The earliest known mention of Bethlehem was in the Amarna correspondence of 13501330 BCE when the town was inhabited by the Canaanites. Jesus was raised in Nazareth which is where Joseph and Mary lived before the census and where they returned after a time as refugees in Egypt according to Matthew 2:19-23. 445446. His calculations were probably off by a couple of years as the best evidence indicates that Jesus was probably born sometime between December of 3 BC and February of 2 B.C. 1871. p. 148. In 985, the Arab geographer al-Muqaddasi visited Bethlehem, and referred to its church as the "Basilica of Constantine, the equal of which does not exist anywhere in the country-round. [47], In 1099, Bethlehem was captured by the Crusaders, who fortified it and built a new monastery and cloister on the north side of the Church of the Nativity. And, according to the author of Matthew, the reason that the family ends up in Nazareth is because the southern Herods are so dangerous.\n

• The gospel of Luke, by contrast, says Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth all along, went down to Bethlehem only because the Roman Emperor decreed that everyone return to their ancestral birthplaces to enroll in a census, and returned home after Jesus's birth.

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Out of all these hometown and birthplace details, the Nazareth connection seems to be the most reliable piece of evidence to historians because Matthew and Luke both report it, and they do so even though it's potentially embarrassing to Jesus. Our team will gladly respond to your questions with Bible based answers. January is the coldest month, with temperatures ranging from 1to13degree Celsius (3355F). What Is the Misconception of It Is My Cross to Bear? [8], There are over thirty hotels in Bethlehem. Bethlehem and surroundings from the air in 1931 Bethlehem ( / blhm /; Arabic: Bayt Lam; Hebrew: Bet Leem) is a city in the central West Bank, Palestine, about 10 km (6.2 miles) south of Jerusalem. We hear Christmas carols about the baby Jesus in the manger and the winter wonderland associated with His birth. In fact, most scholars think that Nazareth is probably where Jesus was born, too, because outside the infancy narratives in Matthew and Luke, all four gospels presume that he's a Galilean or Nazarene (see Mark 1:9 and 6:1; John 1:4556 and 7:4142; Matthew 13:54, 57; Luke 4:16, 2324). The answer is both yes and no. In the Old Testament, Bethlehem was first called Ephrath ("fruitful) and was the burial place of Rachel ( Gen 35:16, 19; 48:7 ). According to the gospels, Jesus was . He was also demoted. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Her prose and poetry has previously appeared in such publications as Purpose and Creation Illustrated, and her short plays were performed at Christmas by Sunday School students for several years. Though both Matthew and Luke agree that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a number of historians argue that Jesus was actually born in Nazareth. [44][8], In 637, shortly after Jerusalem was captured by the Muslim armies, 'Umar ibn al-Khattb, the second Caliph, promised that the Church of the Nativity would be preserved for Christian use. [105] Religious handicrafts include ornaments handmade from mother-of-pearl, as well as olive wood statues, boxes, and crosses. This was a watchtower with a place underneath that shepherds used during the lambing season to shelter the newborn lambs that would later be used as sacrifices in the Jerusalem temple. Bethlehem is located six miles south of Jerusalem, and even today is celebrated as a sacred and holy place. In the Netherlands and Belgium, the character of Santa Claus competes with that of Sinterklaas, based on Saint Nicolas.Santa Claus is known as de Kerstman in Dutch ("the Christmas man") and Pre Nol ("Father Christmas") in French. More specifically, Christ was born in a stable, possibly a stable inside a cave. [8], In 1187, Saladin, the Sultan of Egypt and Syria who led the Muslim Ayyubids, captured Bethlehem from the Crusaders. While small, its location has been significant to faithful Christians, Jews, and Muslims for many generations, according to Bible Odyssey. In the next section, Jesus turns the tables: after John has asked Jesus a question about his ministry, Jesus now asks the crowds a question (or series of questions) about John's ministry and their response to it.. The siege lasted 39 days. [57], Bethlehem was administered by the British Mandate from 1920 to 1948. The story about the journey to Bethlehem was a later invention that connected Jesus to King David . [68] The IDF besieged the Church of the Nativity, where dozens of Palestinian militants had sought refuge. No evidence was found that this caused the boy's death. What Was the Significance of the Angels at Christmas? See, Last edited on 23 November 2022, at 20:53, Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Betharram, the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Education Ministry of the Palestinian National Authority, List of twin towns and sister cities in the State of Palestine, "Main Indicators by Type of Locality - Population, Housing and Establishments Census 2017", "In the West Bank, Politics and Tourism Remain Bound Together Inextricably New York Times", "Are Bethlehem's Christians losing grip on their city? In one of his six letters to Pharaoh, Abdi-Heba, the Egyptian-appointed governor of Jerusalem, appeals for aid in retaking Bit-Lami in the wake of disturbances by Apiru mercenaries:[16] "Now even a town near Jerusalem, Bit-Lahmi by name, a village which once belonged to the king, has fallen to the enemy Let the king hear the words of your servant Abdi-Heba, and send archers to restore the imperial lands of the king! A verse in Luke 2 tells us that Joseph went from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the City of David, which is called Bethlehem [] to be registered with Mary. Soon after arriving in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth. in a study carried out by UNESCO People have held this belief that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, where the Church of the Nativity presently exists, at least since the second century AD. [106], Cremisan Wine, founded in 1885, is a winery run by monks in the Monastery of Cremisan. [78], Bethlehem's average annual relative humidity is 60% and reaches its highest rates between January and February. He was born in Bethlehem ( Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:5-6 ). [66] More than 20% of the working population is employed in the industry. [87], In 1948, the religious makeup of the city was 85% Christian, mostly of the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic denominations, and 13% Muslim. [101] Since the Second Intifada, 10% of the Christian population have left the city. Jesus was born in a stable - the most humble of circumstances. [53], From 1831 to 1841, Palestine was under the rule of the Muhammad Ali Dynasty of Egypt. Even as God revealed His plan for the Savior's birth to Mary (Luke 1:26-38), He had already worked out how to get Mary and Joseph from Galilee to Bethlehem at the right moment . There is also a theory that the shelter in which Jesus was born was a place in the northern part of Bethlehem called Migdol Eder. [88] In the 1967 census taken by Israel authorities, the town of Bethlehem proper numbered 14,439 inhabitants, its 7,790 Muslim inhabitants represented 53.9% of the population, while the Christians of various denominations numbered 6,231 or 46.1%. Given all of this Scriptural data being backed by historical evidence, we can reasonably confidently say Jesus was born in the middle of September in the year 3 B.C. Its total revenue amounted to 30,000 akce. [127] Bethlehem embroidery was renowned for its "strong overall effect of colors and metallic brilliance. Here, she enjoys digging into Gods word when not working or taking part in ministry activities. Since at least the 2nd century AD people have believed that the place where the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, now stands is where Jesus was born. [28], Writing in the 4th century, the Pilgrim of Bordeaux reported that the sepulchers of David, Ezekiel, Asaph, Job, Jesse, and Solomon were located near Bethlehem. Buses and taxis with West Bank licenses are not allowed to enter Israel, including Jerusalem, without a permit. [129] A constant stream of pilgrims generated a demand for these items, which also provided jobs for women. [108], Tourism is Bethlehem's main industry. The commander of the post, a senior non-commissioned officer, fired two plastic bullets in deviation of operational rules. Ephrathah was the name either of Bethlehem itself or of a district in which Bethlehem was situated.. [109] Tourism accounts for approximately 65% of the city's economy and 11% of the Palestinian National Authority. [19], Biblical scholar William F. Albright noted that the pronunciation of the name remained essentially the same for 3,500 years, but has meant different things: "'Temple of the God Lakhmu' in Canaanite, 'House of Bread' in Hebrew and Aramaic, 'House of Meat' in Arabic. The Muslims and Christians were organized into separate communities, each having its own leader. Both place the event in Bethlehem. [30] The same cave is also referenced by the apocryphal Gospel of James and the fourth-century church historian Eusebius. He was born to Joseph and Mary sometime between 6 bce and shortly before the death of Herod the Great (Matthew 2; Luke 1:5) in 4 bce. The Hebrew Bible, which says that the city of Bethlehem was built up as a fortified city by Rehoboam,[7] identifies it as the city David was from and where he was anointed as the king of Israel. It was also the native land of King David of Israel and is called the city of David in his honor (Luke 2:4). [94] A statistical analysis of the Christian exodus cited lack of economic and educational opportunity, especially due to the Christians' middle-class status and higher education. Today, Bethlehem is still seen as a sacred location that millions flock to visit, especially during Christmas time. Herod was alarmed by this and called together all the peoples chief priests and teachers of the law to tell him where the baby could be found (Matthew 2:4). Five leaders represented the village in the mid-16th century, three of whom were Muslims. Both of these gospel authors also agree that Jesus grew up in a little hick town called Nazareth, which is in the northern part of the country (the Galilee). United Nations Recognition of Bethlehems Authentic Historicity, The original Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem was built in 339 A.D. Certain parts still survive below ground. However, the Bible does not give a specific location for his birth. At that time, Jesus was less than three years old. Lines are long; hotels and other lodgings are sold out. Candice Lucey Contributing Writer 2019 26 Aug Where was Jesus born? Ottoman tax records suggest that the Christian population was slightly more prosperous or grew more grain than grapes (the former being a more valuable commodity). Bethlehem is a town in the West Bank region of Palestine, situated on the southern portion in the Judean, Judaean Hills. [30][31][32] Modern scholars, however, regard the two accounts as contradictory[31][32] and the Gospel of Mark, the earliest gospel, mentions nothing about Jesus having been born in Bethlehem, saying only that he came from Nazareth. [according to whom? [78], According to Ottoman tax records, Christians made up roughly 60% of the population in the early 16th century, while the Christian and Muslim population became equal by the mid-16th century. On top of that, the Bethlehem link clearly serves the purpose of painting Jesus as the promised messiah, which naturally raises historians' suspicions about the historical accuracy of the claim. This town still exists in the West Bank (part of Palestine), a site of tremendous significance to Christians and home to the worlds oldest Christian church in daily use, according to BibleInfo.com. [20], Archaeological confirmation of Bethlehem as a city in the Kingdom of Judah was uncovered in 2012 at the archaeological dig at the City of David in the form of a bulla (seal impression in dried clay) in ancient Hebrew script that reads "From the town of Bethlehem to the King." In Pre-Islamic Persia: Literary Sources", "Alphabetisches Verzeichniss von Ortschaften des Paschalik Jerusalem", Pastor's Vision to put Christ back in Bethlehem during Christmas, Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land website pages on Bethlehem, Bethlehem: Muslim-Christian living together, The priorities and needs for development in Bethlehem city based on the community and local authorities' assessment, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bethlehem&oldid=1123454285, This page was last edited on 23 November 2022, at 20:53. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. All from 20-year-old Wilson, who just last year saw her song, "My Jesus," race up the Christian music charts. [143] Palestinians require a permit to enter the Jewish holy site of Rachel's Tomb. Here in this picturesque region where farmers, shepherds, and fishermen plied their trades, Jesus grew up in a large family, likely in modest circumstances. Immediately after birth, three wise men from the east, lead by a moving star, brought in gifts of Frankincense, myrrh and gold for the child, and then left. During the celebrations, Greek Orthodox Christians from the city march in procession to the nearby town of al-Khader to baptize newborns in the waters around the Monastery of St. George and sacrifice a sheep in ritual. The archaeologists were able to identify at least 30 tombs. [122] In a 2005 article in Archaeology magazine, archaeologist Aviram Oshri points to an absence of evidence for the settlement of Bethlehem near Jerusalem at the time when Jesus was born, and postulates that Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Galilee. [73], In the center of Bethlehem is its old city. Bethlehem held its first municipal elections in 1876, after the mukhtars ("heads") of the quarters of Bethlehem's Old City (excluding the Syriac Quarter) made the decision to elect a local council of seven members to represent each clan in the town. Both of these gospel authors also agree that Jesus grew up in a little hick town called Nazareth, which is in the northern part of the country (the Galilee). The word Christ comes from the Greek word christos and means "the one marked on the head with oil" or "the anointed one". The church was badly damaged by the Samaritans, who sacked it during a revolt in 529, but was rebuilt a century later by Emperor Justinian I. Bethlehem became part of Jund Filastin following the Muslim conquest in 637. [30] During the Samaritan revolt of 529, Bethlehem was sacked and its walls and the Church of the Nativity destroyed; they were rebuilt on the orders of the Emperor Justinian I. The birthplace of Jesus attracts some 2 million visitors each year. [85][90] In 1997, the age distribution of Bethlehem's inhabitants was 27.4% under the age of 10, 20% from 10 to 19, 17.3% from 20 to 29, 17.7% from 30 to 44, 12.1% from 45 to 64 and 5.3% above the age of 65. It stands in the center of the city a part of the Manger Square over a grotto or cave called the Holy Crypt, where Jesus is believed to have been born. Jesus came to earth to live with us and to be one of us. Jesus was born in Nazareth, a small community. Its population is approximately 25,000,[3][4] and it is the capital of the Bethlehem Governorate of the State of Palestine. A Persian geographer recorded in the mid-9th century that a well preserved and much venerated church existed in the town. 2:1). [30] In around 155, the apologist Justin Martyr recommended that those who doubted Jesus was really born in Bethlehem could go there and visit the very cave where he was supposed to have been born. Since at least the 2nd century AD people have believed that the place where the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, now stands is where Jesus was born. [74], Bethlehem has a Mediterranean climate, with hot and dry summers and mild, wetter winters.

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Even though the gospels have these few similarities, they differ otherwise. Where was the Jesus born? Jesus was known in the synagogue in Nazareth and was rejected there at the start of his ministry. Jesus was an Israelite, and his family followed Jewish holidays and customs. [8][30] In 614, the Persian Sassanid Empire, supported by Jewish rebels, invaded Palestina Prima and captured Bethlehem. The Greek Orthodox were given control of the basilica and shared control of the Milk Grotto with the Latins and the Armenians. In John 17:5, just before His crucifixion, Jesus prays, "And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.". What Is the Significance of the Star of Bethlehem? It is believed that this is the hill called Golgotha. The officer was found guilty of illegal use of a weapon and sentenced to 5 months imprisonment, two of them actually in prison doing public service. Some time in the third millennium BCE, Canaanites erected a temple on the hill now known as the Hill of the Nativity, probably dedicated to Lehem. [127], The art of mother-of-pearl carving is said to have been a Bethlehem tradition since the 15th century when it was introduced by Franciscan friars from Italy. It's a fact that most Christians and many non-Christians know, due to its inclusion in several. [41] Peter Welten has argued that the cave was never dedicated to Tammuz[41] and that Jerome misinterpreted Christian mourning over the Massacre of the Innocents as a pagan ritual over Tammuz's death. The temple, and subsequently the town that formed around it, would then have been known as Beyt Leem, "House (Temple) of Lehem". August is the hottest month, with a high of 30 degrees Celsius (86F). The Bible clearly states that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but Bethlehem at the time of Jesus was larger and more spread out than modern-day Bethlehem . Jordan retained control of the city until the Six-Day War in 1967, when Bethlehem was captured by Israel, along with the rest of the West Bank. It's somewhat embarrassing for Jesus to have grown up here because it really was \"Nowheresville,\" and in that time people expected the famous to come from somewhere famous. Both Matthew and Luke agree that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which is in Judea, near Jerusalem (where David was from and therefore where David's heir was expected to be born; see Micah 5:1). [104] Other industries include stone and marble-cutting, textiles, furniture and furnishings. Many people are in Bethlehem to register. Affiliate Disclosure; Contact us; Find what come to your mind; Was Jesus born in a stone manger? More specifically, Christ was born in a stable, possibly a stable inside a cave. The act of assuming flesh, or of taking a human body and the nature of man," which is exactly what happened with the Lord Jesus Christ. For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him., 2) Luke 2:4-7 says, Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of DavidAnd she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn., 3) Micah 5:2 says, But you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, thoughyou are little among the thousands of Judah,yetout of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings fortharefrom of old, from everlasting.. By entering your email address and clicking the Submit button, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from Dummies.com, which may include marketing promotions, news and updates. [8] A mosque dedicated to Umar was built upon the place in the city where he prayed, next to the church. Later, he would be called John the Baptist. Bethlehem lies 10 kilometres south of the city of Jerusalem. Jesus was loved by everyone who met him. Bethlehem University is the first university established in the West Bank, and can trace its roots to 1893 when the De La Salle Christian Brothers opened schools throughout Palestine and Egypt. [5][6] The important holy site of Rachel's Tomb is at the northern entrance of Bethlehem, though not freely accessible to the city's own inhabitants and in general Palestinians living in the West Bank due to the Israeli West Bank barrier. "(Justin Martyr. Venerated by Christians as the birthplace of their Savior and by Muslims as the birthplace of a great prophet. [55], Socin found from an official Ottoman village list from about 1870 that Bethlehem had a population of 179 Muslims in 59 houses, 979 "Latins" in 256 houses, 824 "Greeks" in 213 houses, and 41 Armenians in 11 houses, a total of 539 houses. Following the Six-Day War, Israel took control of the city. Candice Lucey lives with her husband and daughters in (mostly) tranquil Salmon Arm, BC, Canada. [133], Bethlehem has four museums: The Crib of the Nativity Theatre and Museum offers visitors 31 three-dimensional models depicting the significant stages of the life of Jesus. Bethlehem is where Jacob buried Rachel, his treasured wife after she passed away in childbirth (Genesis 35:19). In 2007, the monastery's wine production was around 700,000liters per year. Do you have a Bible question? [111] Jacir Palace, built in 1910 near the church, is one of Bethlehem's most successful hotels and its oldest. But far more important than where Jesus was born is the fact that He was born. Subscribe to Mac Powell: https://macpowell.lnk.to/ytsubID .more .more. [8], While historically an Arab Christian town, Bethlehem has a Muslim majority, but is still home to a significant Palestinian Christian community. [88][93][94][95] In 1947, Christians made up 85% of the population, but by 1998, the figure had declined to 40%. Ellen Clare Miller, 'Eastern Sketches notes of scenery, schools and tent life in Syria and Palestine'. That's the miracle of what happened at Bethlehem. The grapes are grown mainly in the al-Khader district. Christians, like all non-Muslims throughout the Ottoman Empire, were required to pay the jizya tax. In Bethlehem the cave is pointed out where he was born, and the manger in the cave where he was wrapped in swaddling clothes. And the rumor is in those places, and among foreigners of the Faith, that indeed Jesus was born in this cave who is worshipped and reverenced by the Christians. The gospel of Luke, by contrast, says Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth all along, went down to Bethlehem only because the Roman Emperor decreed that everyone return to their ancestral birthplaces to enroll in a census, and returned home after Jesus's birth. Holy Family Although born in Bethlehem, according to Matthew and Luke, Jesus was a Galilean from Nazareth, a village near Sepphoris, one of the two major cities of Galilee ( Tiberias was the other). "[41] Many scholars have taken this letter as evidence that the cave of the nativity over which the Church of the Nativity was later built had at one point been a shrine to the ancient Near Eastern fertility god Tammuz. Each year, thousands of pilgrims make their way to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem Photo by Michael Swan Grotto where Jesus born takes you back to Church origins By J.P. Sonnen, Catholic Register Special December 20, 2015 Tweet Now that we know why Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem, we can further appreciate how God accomplished the task using the Roman government. [45] Bethlehem then passed through the control of the Islamic caliphates of the Umayyads in the 8th century, then the Abbasids in the 9th century. The Bible doesn't say how old Joseph was when Jesus was born to Mary. So the account of Jesus' birth in Luke fits perfectly with Micah's prediction of the future King of Israel being born in the city of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), specifically in "Migdal Eder" (Micah 4:8). The prophet Samuel anointed David to be the king of Israel in Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16). According to UNESCO, the sanctity of the site is maintained by the three churches occupying it. It was closed down in 2000 due to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but reopened in 2005 as the Jacir Palace InterContinental at Bethlehem.[112]. Matthew 2:1-2 and Luke 2:1-7 describe the events of Joseph and Mary leaving Nazareth and going to Bethlehem in response to the census decreed by Caesar Augustus. It . The city is located 73 kilometers (45mi) northeast of Gaza City and the Mediterranean Sea, 75 kilometers (47mi) west of Amman, Jordan, 59 kilometers (37mi) southeast of Tel Aviv, Israel and 10 kilometers (6.2mi) south of Jerusalem. Answer. [8] Control of Bethlehem passed from the Ottomans to the British at the end of World War I. Bethlehem came under Jordanian rule during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and was later captured by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War. Bethlehem celebrates festivals related to saints and prophets associated with Palestinian folklore. ", "Ancient Burial Ground with 100 Tombs Found Near Biblical Bethlehem", "IMEU: Maps: 2.7 Jerusalem and the Corpus Separatum proposed in 1947", A Jerusalem Timeline, 3,000 Years of The City's History, Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs, "Muslims, Christians celebrate in Bethlehem", "Costs of Conflict: The Changing Face of Bethlehem", "January Climate History for Bethlehem | Local | Israel", "Village Statistics of 1945: A Classification of Land and Area ownership in Palestine", Palestinian Population by Locality, Sex and Age Groups in Years: Bethlehem Governorate, "Palestinian Population by Locality and Refugee Status", Bethlehem, The Holy Land's Collective Cultural National Identity: A Palestinian Arab Historical Perspective, "Bethlehem is Struggling to Protect the Church of the Nativity", "Christians Worry 'Silent Night' May Soon Refer to their own Community in Bethlehem", "Little Palestinian town of Bethlehem wants its tourists, Christian residents to come back", "Christians Disappearing in the Birthplace of Jesus", "The Beleaguered Christians of the Palestinian-Controlled Areas: Official PA Domination of Christians", "Americans not sure where Bethlehem is, survey shows", "Middle East's Christian population in flux as Pope Francis visits Holy Land", "Report on Christian Emigration: Palestine", "Bethlehem Municipality(Site Under Construction)", Jacir Palace, InterContinental Bethlehem re-opens for business, Jesus: Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millennium, "Palestine costume before 1948: by region", "Palestinian Heritage Center: Objectives", "The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music", Municipal Council Elections during the British and Jordanian Periods, "Bethlehem Has New Female Mayor, Yet Same Old Problems", "Palestinian Population (10 Years and Over) by Locality, Sex and Educational Attainment", "Statistics about General Education in Palestine 20052006", Education Minister of the Palestinian National Authority, "Impact of Israel's separation barrier on affected West Bank communities OCHA update report #2", "Die Ortschaftenliste des Liwa Jerusalem in dem trkischen Staatskalender fr Syrien auf das Jahr 1288 der Flucht (1871)", "CHRISTIANITY i. Both Matthew and Luke agree that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which is in Judea, near Jerusalem (where David was from and therefore where David's heir was expected to be born; see Micah 5:1). [49] In 1250, with the coming to power of the Mamluks under Rukn al-Din Baibars, tolerance of Christianity declined. [140], Bethlehem is home to Bethlehem University, a Catholic Christian co-educational institution of higher learning founded in 1973 in the Lasallian tradition, open to students of all faiths. [8][30] The Church of the Nativity was built at her initiative over the cave where Jesus was purported to have been born. Jesus (c. 4 BC - AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. (Origen. Nazareth. About 14.1% of high school students received diplomas. Government of Palestine, Department of Statistics, 1945, p. Government of Jordan, Department of Statistics, 1964, p. Taylor, 1993, pp. For we have seen His Star in the East and have come to worship Him., Hundreds of years earlier, the prophet Micah had prophesized about the location of Jesus birth as well. "[80] Another report from the same year puts the Christian population at 3,000, with an additional 50 Muslims. The Word [Jesus] became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). In Matthew chapter 2, in verses 1 and 2 it says, Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? If Christ had not come, His substitutionary atonement on the cross would never have taken place and thus there would be no forgiveness, no redemption, no justification, and no salvation. Talmor, Ronny (translated by Ralph Mandel) (1990). [75] Al-Qawawsa Quarter was formed by Arab Christian emigrants from the nearby town of Tuqu' in the 18th century. No one living at the time of the churchs 4th century construction could claim to have been alive even during the Apostles time, but stories must have been passed down through the intervening generations. The Aida and Azza refugee camps are located within the city limits. [106] Bethlehem factories also produce paints, plastics, synthetic rubber, pharmaceuticals, construction materials and food products, mainly pasta and confectionery. Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The population count only included men. Christians and historians sometimes wonder if the Nativity took place in Nazareth. Ultimately, Jesus existed with God before the world was created (John 1). [134], Throughout, Bethlehem's rule by the British and Jordan, the Syriac Quarter was allowed to participate in the election, as were the Ta'amrah Bedouins and Palestinian refugees, hence ratifying the number of municipal members in the council to 11. Jesus' Birthday Based on the Pattern of Priests. [30] After the Bar Kokhba revolt (c. 132136 CE) was crushed, the Roman emperor Hadrian converted the Christian site above the Grotto into a shrine dedicated to the Greek god Adonis, to honour his favourite, the Greek youth Antinous. Jesus' Birth in Bethlehem Our primary sources for Jesus' birth are the gospels of Matthew and Luke. "[46] In 1009, during the reign of the sixth Fatimid Caliph, al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, the Church of the Nativity was ordered to be demolished, but was spared by local Muslims, because they had been permitted to worship in the structure's southern transept. If Jesus had never been born, there would be no salvation from sin. For instance, consider this important set of differences regarding why Jesus was born in Bethlehem: Out of all these hometown and birthplace details, the Nazareth connection seems to be the most reliable piece of evidence to historians because Matthew and Luke both report it, and they do so even though it's potentially embarrassing to Jesus. [97][98] In 2006, the Palestinian Centre for Research and Cultural Dialogue conducted a poll among the city's Christians according to which 90% said they had had Muslim friends, 73.3% agreed that the PNA treated Christian heritage in the city with respect and 78% attributed the exodus of Christians to the Israeli blockade. [6] The International Museum of Nativity was built by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to exhibit "high artistic quality in an evocative atmosphere".[6]. Bethlehem means "the house of bread" and is located six miles south of Jerusalem in the hill country of Judea. In my recent research, I have identified a third option, Migdal Eder is one possible location of Jesus' birth. [21], Biblical scholars believe Bethlehem, located in the "hill country" of Judea, may be the same as the Biblical Ephrath,[22] which means "fertile", as there is a reference to it in the Book of Micah as Bethlehem Ephratah. [139] There were 135 schools in the Bethlehem Governorate in 2006; 100 run the Education Ministry of the Palestinian National Authority, seven by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and 28 were private. All rights reserved. Summary of Jesus' life Although born in Bethlehem, according to Matthew and Luke, Jesus was a Galilean from Nazareth, a village near Sepphoris, one of the two major cities of Galilee (Tiberias was . His lineage can be traced back to the house of David. The hand of Providence has preserved the spot where Christ was born over the past 2,000 years. The Temple sacrifices where so great that the Temple had their own herd of sheep and special shepherds assigned to take care of the flock that would produce the lamb without blemish. Replying to a Member of Knesset in August 1990 Defence Minister Yitzak Rabin stated that a group of reservists in an observation post had come under attack by stone throwers. What would happen if Jesus was not born? Also see John 1:1-2, 14. However, synthesizing data from Jewish tradition, first-century Roman culture, and the Gospels, a broad estimate of Joseph's age is that he was between 18 and 54 years old. The city's main streets and old markets are lined with shops selling Palestinian handicrafts, Middle Eastern spices, jewelry and oriental sweets such as baklawa. What Is the Hopeful Message in the Hymn In the Bleak Midwinter? [69], Today, the city is surrounded by two bypass roads for Israeli settlers, leaving the inhabitants squeezed between thirty-seven Jewish enclaves, where a quarter of all West Bank settlers, roughly 170,000, live; the gap between the two roads is closed by the 8-metre high Israeli West Bank barrier, which cuts Bethlehem off from its sister city Jerusalem. There are also two car rental departments: Murad and 'Orabi. At the very least, church officials felt certain they had the right town. They even took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff (Luke 4:29). [6], The Bethlehem branch of the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music has about 500 students. Muslim rule continued in Bethlehem until its conquest in 1099 by a crusading army, who replaced the town's Greek Orthodox clergy with a Latin one. [130] The industry was noted by Richard Pococke, who visited Bethlehem in 1727. Tradition places Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, a small town a few miles south of Jerusalem. [50] In 1867, an American visitor describes the town as having a population of 3,000 to 4,000; of whom about 100 were Protestants, 300 were Muslims and "the remainder belonging to the Latin and Greek Churches with a few Armenians. The leftist factions of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) such as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and the Palestinian People's Party (PPP) usually dominate the reserved seats. Two K-Love Fan Awards, two Dove awards, Nominated for a Grammy," Wilson said. Most Christmas processions pass through Manger Square, the plaza outside the Basilica of the Nativity. [95], The Church of the Nativity is one of Bethlehem's major tourist attractions and a magnet for Christian pilgrims. Where Christ Was Crucified Calvary. [23] The Hebrew Bible also calls it Beth-Lehem Judah,[24] and the New Testament describes it as the "City of David". The economy is primarily tourist-driven, peaking during the Christmas season, when Christians make pilgrimage to the Church of the Nativity. The metaphor of a 'reed swaying in the wind' is a natural metaphor to use, since reeds would grow in the marshy banks of the Jordan, and John's uncompromising message of . [72] Nearby cities and towns include Beit Safafa and Jerusalem to the north, Beit Jala to the northwest, Husan to the west, al-Khadr and Artas to the southwest, and Beit Sahour to the east. For instance, consider this important set of differences regarding why Jesus was born in Bethlehem:

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• The gospel of Matthew gives the impression that Mary and Joseph have always lived in Bethlehem, and that's why Jesus was born there. Score: 4.2/5 (75 votes) . [85] In the 2007 PCBS census, Bethlehem had a population of 25,266, of which 12,753 were males and 12,513 were females. [110] The city has more than two million visitors every year. Jesus was born within the range of time when shepherds drove their sheep into the open fields and stayed with them from May to October . [136], According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), in 1997, approximately 84% of Bethlehem's population over the age of 10 was literate. [11] Land seizures for Israeli settlements have also prevented construction of a new hospital for the inhabitants of Bethlehem, as well as the barrier separating dozens of Palestinian families from their farmland and Christian communities from their places of worship.[11]. Early Christian traditions describe Jesus as being born in Bethlehem: in one account, a verse in the Book of Micah is interpreted as a prophecy that the Messiah would be born there. On the one hand, Jesus was born in the geographical area that some people now call Palestine. In the New Testament, the Gospel of Luke says that Jesus' parents traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. In the Bible, Jesus' birthplace is identified as Bethlehem. [135], In the October 2012 municipal elections, Fatah member Vera Baboun won, becoming the first female mayor of Bethlehem. What country is Jesus from? This technique was used for "royal" wedding dresses (thob malak), taqsirehs and the shatwehs worn by married women. The Church of the Nativity, the oldest Christian church in daily use, marks the traditional spot of Jesus birth and is considered one of the holiest sites in Christendom. [92] Another Bethlehem clan, al-Anatreh, also trace their ancestry to the Ghassanids. Night dew may occur in up to 180 days per year. Where is Jesus born country . He was born in Bethlehem, at the birthing place of the sacrificial lambs that were offered in the Temple in Jerusalem which Micah 4:8 calls the "tower of the flock.". During the early months of First Intifada, on 5 May 1989, Milad Anton Shahin, aged 12, was shot dead by Israeli soldiers. For other uses, see, Maier, Paul L., "The First Christmas: The True and Unfamiliar Story." [13][14] Biblical scholar William F. Albright believed that this hypothesis, which was first put forth by Otto Schroeder, was "certainly accurate". Clamecy remained the continuous 'in partibus infidelium' seat of the Bishopric of Bethlehem for almost 600 years, until the French Revolution in 1789. Certainly, UNESCO and millions of pilgrims are compelled by surviving archaeological evidence while archaeologists are excited by artefacts as yet unearthed. Here we have the Incarnation of the child to be called JESUS. Historically it has received different names: Judea, Canaan, Israel, the Holy Land, and so on. Dummies has always stood for taking on complex concepts and making them easy to understand. Jews also honor this city because King David was born here. [142], The Israeli construction of the West Bank barrier has affected Bethlehem politically, socially, and economically. According to the excavators, it was used to seal the string closing a shipment of grain, wine, or other goods sent as a tax payment in the 8th or 7th century BCE. [38], Nonetheless, the tradition that Jesus was born in Bethlehem was prominent in the early church. Winter temperatures (mid-December to mid-March) can be cool and rainy. "Incarnation" is a fascinating word. The level of access varies based on Israeli security directives. [99] The only mosque in the Old City is the Mosque of Omar, located in the Manger Square. The angel told Mary that she would have a son and that His name was to be called Immanuel which means God with us (Matthew 1:23). The Latin clerics were forced to leave, allowing the Greek Orthodox clergy to return. A Basic Law was established so that if the victor for mayor was a Catholic, his deputy should be of the Greek Orthodox community. Many modern scholars question the idea that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, seeing the biblical stories not as historical accounts but as symbolic narratives invented to present the birth as fulfillment of prophecy and imply a connection to the lineage of King David.ref>Vermes, 2006, p. 22. He is the central figure of Christianity, the world's largest religion.Most Christians believe he is the incarnation of God the Son and the awaited Messiah (the Christ) prophesied in the Hebrew Bible. Luke also notes that Jesus was laid in a manger. On top of that, the Bethlehem link clearly serves the purpose of painting Jesus as the promised messiah, which naturally raises historians' suspicions about the historical accuracy of the claim.
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  Both Matthew and Luke agree that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which is in Judea, near Jerusalem (where David was from and therefore where David's heir was expected to be born; see Micah 5:1). It was initiated by Palestinian Prime Minister and former Finance Minister Salam Fayyad to convince more than a thousand businessmen, bankers and government officials from throughout the Middle East to invest in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. What is the country of Jesus? ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10057"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/281993"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"

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