The birth of Jesus Christ is described in the holy books of Christians, called the gospels. In particular, the evangelists Matthew and Mark narrate about this great historical event. The birthplace of Jesus is the city of Bethlehem.
Bethlehem is currently under the Palestinian National Authority. The city is located near Jerusalem - eight kilometers. This small town, with a population of just over 25 thousand inhabitants, covers an area of only six square kilometers. Bethlehem is one of the oldest cities in the biblical Canaanite lands. It was founded approximately in the 17th - 16th centuries BC.
In New Testament times, the city of Bethlehem belonged to the region of Judea, which is why the gospels indicate that Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea. The Holy Scripture of Christians tells about the birth of Christ in this way. During the reign of the Roman Empire, Caesar Augustus, there was a decree on the population overhaul. The Virgin Mary and her betrothed Joseph were to go from Nazareth to Bethlehem in order to fulfill their national duty. All relatives of Mary and Joseph were assigned to the city of Bethlehem. Therefore, it was here that the Mother of God went with Elder Joseph. There was no room for these people in the hotel, so Mary and Joseph stayed overnight in the cave, where the shepherds drove their cattle. It was there that Jesus Christ was born.
The birth of Christ in Bethlehem fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies that the Messiah was to be born in Judea. In particular, the prophet Micah, several hundred years before the birth of Christ, predicted that Bethlehem would become the city of the birth of the King and Messiah - Christ.
The exact date of the birth of Christ is unknown. Modern secular as well as ecclesiastical scholars say that Christ was born around 3-5 BC.
Now over the Bethlehem cave, in which the famous Gospel event took place, there is a church in honor of the birth of Christ. It was built back in IV during the reign of the Roman Empire by Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine. The birthplace of Christ is marked with a special star.
Currently, Bethlehem is considered one of the holy Christian places of global importance. The city is still visited by many tourists and pilgrims in order to see the birthplace of Christ with their own eyes. The city, located on rocky hills, still has a certain look of the biblical time. Despite the fact that Bethlehem was significantly completed, the ancient nature is still preserved in it. For example, ancient cypresses and olive trees grow in the city. Travelers can see shepherds walking their livestock in the streets of the city. The whole appearance of modern Bethlehem seems to breathe with antiquity, being a witness to a great historical event at the present time.
