Little Blue Birdie's Diary
 

At the Nativity Church

Dear Diary,

It is the Christmas season once again. All through the year, children wait for the dawn of Christmas. These days are filled with fun and joy. All the streets and houses are nicely decorated. Christmas brings fun and joy to people whether they are Christians or not.

The Grotto                                                                        Inside and outside view

The spirit of the season affected us as well, prompting us to visit a religious site of importance to Christians. So, we flew to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, one of Christianity's most sacred sites.

This fortress-like church in the centre of the modern city of Bethlehem is one of the oldest, continuously operating churches in the world. The structure is built over the cave that tradition marks the birthplace of Christ, and it is considered sacred by followers of both Christianity and Islam.

"The first church on this site was begun by Queen Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine I. Under the supervision of Bishop Makarios of Jerusalem, the construction was completed in 333 AD. That structure was burnt down in the Samaritan Revolt of 529," explained our guide bird.

"Emperor Justinian I rebuilt the church in its present form in 565. When the Persians under Chosroes II invaded in 614 AD, they surprisingly did not destroy the structure.

According to legend, their commander Shahrbaraz was moved by the depiction inside the church of the Three Magi wearing Persian clothing, and commanded that the building be spared.

The Crusaders made further repairs and additions to the building during the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem with permission and help given by the Byzantine Emperor. Over the years, the compound has been expanded, and today it covers approximately 12,000 square metres," he added.

The structure is actually a combination of two churches, with a crypt beneath 'the Grotto of the Nativity' where Jesus is said to have been born. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem maintains the main church of the Nativity.

It is designed like a typical Roman church, with five aisles. The church features golden mosaics (pictures made with small, coloured pieces) covering the sidewalls, which are now largely decayed.

The church could be entered through a very low door, called the 'Door of Humility.' The original Roman style floor has since been covered over, but there is a trap-door in the modern floor which opens up to reveal a portion of the original mosaic floor. King Edward IV of England has donated the wooden rafters. Stairways on either side of the Sanctuary lead down, through winding stairs to the Grotto.

The adjoining Church of St. Catherine is the place where the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem celebrates Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

The Grotto of the Nativity, an underground cave located beneath the church, enshrines the site where Jesus is said to have been born. The exact spot is marked beneath an altar by a 14-pointed silver star set into the marble floor and surrounded by silver lamps.

This altar is denominationally (religious sects) neutral, although it features primarily Armenian Apostolic influences. Another altar in the Grotto, which is maintained by the Roman Catholics, marks the site where Mary is said to have laid the newborn babe in the manger.

Numerous chapels are found in the compound as well, including the Chapel of Saint Joseph, commemorating the angel's appearance to Joseph, commanding him to flee to Egypt; the Chapel of the Innocents, commemorating the children killed by Herod; and the Chapel of Saint Jerome, where traditionally he translated the Bible into Latin.

Manger Square, a large paved courtyard in front of the Church, is the site where large crowds will gather on Christmas Eve to sing Christmas carols in anticipation of the midnight services.

It was a beautiful church and we were lucky to have been able to visit it.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas!

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