Bethlehem

Brick Walk

Bethlehem (House of Bread) in Hebrew and (House of Meat) in Arabic lies five miles south of Jerusalem on a hill about 2600 feet above sea level. A market town of the tribe of Judah, home of Boaz and Ruth, birthplace of King David and Jesus. There are a number of old houses built over caves in the limestone. These caves are old and similar to the cave of the Nativity. Probably Jesus was born in one of these old caves rather than a stable of western tradition. Over the traditional grotto of Jesus' birth stands the Church of the Nativity. It is here that the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve assumes unique significance for all Christians. Outside the hilllside town is the Shepherds' Field (Luke 2:8-12).