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FORMATIONSLearner’s Study Guide

Adult Study September–December 2006

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the adoration

Look inside Church of forfor newnew traveltravel journaljournal the Nativity

photo: Cloister adjacent to the in AFL 16_1_wrap_4296 5/22/06 2:43 PM Page 2

This travel journal leads us on a journey to a location related to the Bible. the adoration

Church of Formations Photo Journal by Jim Pitts the Nativity

bethlehemThroughout the years, the little town of Bethlehem, five miles south of , has been a place of hope and hospitality, worry and woe. Until recently, most residents of Bethlehem worked in the hospitality industry. Due to the political turmoil, hotels are now closed and stores selling local products, such as hand-carved wood { sets and local jewelry, see few pilgrims and tourists. }

ethlehem has a Bpopulation of 28,000, roughly 18,000 Muslims and 10,000 Christians. Another 150,000 people live in refugee camps outside of Bethlehem. About 36 years ago, 80 percent of Bethlehem’s residents were Christian; now Christians comprise 5.6 percent of the greater Bethlehem region. In an effort to combat The Church of the Nativity terrorism, the Israeli In Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity pilgrims visit government is constructing the traditional birthplace of . In a grotto or a concrete wall on the cave under the 's main altar a fourteen- northern edge of Bethlehem, pointed silver star is inscribed "Hic de Virgine Maria Jesus Christus natus est" - Here Jesus sealing off the Palestinian Christ was born to the Virgin Mary." territory from Israel. Snaking across terraced hillsides, the birth of the , completed barrier will stretch across Bethlehem entered the the land for hundreds of miles. biblical story. Bethlehem is Here in this sacred but troubled first mentioned in the town, the New Testament places the Bible in reference to birth of Jesus. But long before the AFL 16_1_wrap_4296 5/22/06 2:43 PM Page 3

Church of the Nativity The focal point of Bethlehem today is the Church of the Nativity. The church dates to the reign of Constantine; its construction began AD 329, and it was dedicated by Queen Helena on May 31, AD 339.

Rachel’s burial site at Ephrath on the road from Jerusalem to Bethlehem The Wise Men’s adoration (Gen 35:19). The Wise Men's adoration of the Christ child is depicted in this stained glass window over the Bethlehem was the northernmost entrance to St. Catherine's Church. Here in settlement of the tribe of Judah, and the Bethlehem's Basilica of the Nativity, pilgrims visit the traditional birthplace of Jesus. early inhabitants of Bethlehem were asso- ciated with the family of Caleb. The the Levite of Ephraim was from village appears in Judges 17:7-13 as the Bethlehem (Judg 19). home of the Levite who became priest to Micah. The concubine of The events recorded in the book of Ruth occurred mostly in the region of Bethlehem (Ruth 1:1-2; 2:4; 4:11). Ruth’s story leads to the events that gave major impor- tance to the town as the birthplace of King David (1 Sam 16). AFL 16_1_wrap_4296 5/22/06 2:43 PM Page 4

Bethlehem Citing its Davidic heritage, Micah prophesied greatness for the town: “But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days” (Mic 5:2). Micah’s prophecy was understood to indicate that the Messiah, like David, would be born in Bethlehem (Jn 7:42). Matthew (2:1-12) and Luke (2:4-20) report that Jesus was born in that humble village.

After the Babylonian captivity, Bethlehem was the destination of more than 100 returning exiles (Ezra 2:21). Citing its Davidic heritage, Micah prophesied greatness for the town: “But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days” (Mic 5:2).

Micah’s prophecy was understood to indicate that the Messiah, like David, would be born in Bethlehem (Jn 7:42). Matthew (2:1-12) and Luke (2:4-20) report that Jesus was born in that humble village. A field near the town has been identified as the place where the shepherds experienced an angelic announcement of the Savior’s birth. AFL 16_1_wrap_4296 5/22/06 2:43 PM Page 5

When Herod built fortresses at Herodium and Masada, Bethlehem overlooked the roads to those royal retreats. Matthew and Luke place Jesus’ birth during the last years of , who died in 4 BC. Matthew tells of Herod’s killing of Bethlehem’s young male children. With his paranoid personality, he even executed members of his own family out of fear they might take over the throne.

According to Christian tradition, Jesus was born in a cave on the outskirts of Bethlehem. In AD 326, Emperor Constantine initiated the construc- tion of the Church of the Nativity over this Church of the Nativity cave, long revered as Although the Church of the Nativity has the site of the Savior’s been renovated several times over the birth. centuries, the beautiful floor of the original church has been preserved.

The Church of the mosaic of the birth of Jesus Nativity was destroyed and recognized their clothing during the Samaritan Cell of St. as Persian. revolt (c. 529) and The cell of St. Jerome where he rebuilt by translated the Bible (). The main of the Church of the Nativity is 170 (527–565). The feet long and 80 feet wide. Fragments of newer structure forms the basic from the fourth century are sanctuary that is still in use covered with a wooden floor. Pilgrims today, although many descending a short staircase beneath the modifications have been main altar enter a small grotto or cave made. A legend relates commemorating the place of Jesus’ birth. A that during the Persian silver star marks this sacred spot where the Conquest in 614, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, church was preserved full of grace and truth. when the invaders saw the three wise men in a