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Manger Square and Nativity Church
A. Bethlehem's Biblical
History
Few miles south of
Jerusalem lies the City of Bethlehem.
Christians around the world know it as
the little town where Jesus Christ was
born. Still small, Bethlehem has
retained a friendly atmosphere and is
host to thousands of tourists each year.
Many sacred Christian sites. churches,
and monasteries are located in the city.
A major attraction is the Church of
the Nativity at Manger Square, Many
sacred Christian sites, churches, and
monasteries are located in the city. A
major attraction is the Church of
Nativity at Manger Square, built over
the cave where Jesus Christ was born.
The adjoining Church of St. Catherine
possesses marvelous woodcarvings of
the Stations of the Cross. Just a Few
minutes walk from Manger Square is the
Chapel of the Milk Grotto, where
the holy family took refuge on their way
to Egypt and where Mary nursed the
Infant Jesus. This also is where the red
rock, which is now darkened by age,
turned to chalky white after a drop of
Mary's milk, fell to the ground. The
Milk Grotto is a serene chapel adorned
with images of the Madonna and child.
Along Milk Grotto Street, you can also
find handicraft factories that produce
lustrous mother-of- pearl and rich olive
wood items. At the northern entrance of
the city is the Tomb Rachel the
Matriarch, wife of Jacob, who died
in Bethlehem while giving birth to
Benjamin. In the city are remnants of
two aqueducts that brought water from
Solomon's pools to Jerusalem. Visit the
Arab Women's Union Museum just
off Manger Street. In this museum you
will find recreated a diwan (a
traditional living: room) and displays
of traditional clothing, jewellery, old
photos, and personal items from the
British Mandate era. A tour of the
museum offers a taste of the gracious
refinement Palestinian families enjoyed
in the pre-1948 era.
The Herodion,
in the hills south of
Bethlehem, is one of the many
spectacular sites worthy of a visitor's
special attention. The view from, the
top of this strategic fortress built by
Herod the Great affords a panorama
toward Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Although
he died in Jericho, Herod was buried
here.
Source: Palestinian Ministry of Tourism
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Stories of Places and Persons
Connected with Religious
Folklore in the Bethlehem
District,
by the late Dr. Issa Massou
B. The Modern History of
Bethlehem:
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