Bethlehem is home to the Church of the Nativity, the oldest continuously standing church in the Holy Land.
Constantine’s mother first built this church in the 4th century; Emperor Justinian then rebuilt the church in the 530s, which is the same structure we have today.
During the Persian invasions of 614, this church was spared from destruction due to the depictions of the magi (wise men) on the walls.
Biblical Significance
Luke 2:1-7 According to tradition, Mary gave birth to Jesus at the place of where the star is located on the floor. Today, it is a Christian pilgrimage site due to the local tradition that Jesus was born in a cave at the edge of the village.
