Bethlehem

Bethlehem is a Palestinian city in the West Bank, south of Jerusalem. Christian tradition identifies it as the birthplace of Jesus.

Nativity of Jesus: The Christian account of Jesus's birth, principally narrated in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The Nativity narratives place Jesus's birth in Bethlehem.
Christmas: A Christian festival commemorating the birth of Jesus, observed on December 25 by many churches. Bethlehem is central to Christmas celebrations and their imagery.
Palestinian Christians: Palestinians who belong to Christian churches, including communities with ancient roots in the region. Bethlehem's Christian communities sustain living traditions at the city's sacred sites.
Nazareth: A city in northern Israel associated in the Gospels with Jesus's upbringing. The Gospels distinguish Jesus's birth in Bethlehem from his upbringing in Nazareth.
Church of the Nativity: A church in Bethlehem built over a traditional site of Jesus's birth. This ancient shrine marks the birthplace associated with the Nativity.
Manger Square: A public square in Bethlehem beside the Church of the Nativity. The square hosts public celebrations, including the city's Christmas festivities.
Palestinian National Authority: The interim Palestinian self-government body established under the Oslo Accords. The authority administers Bethlehem as part of the West Bank.
Gospel of Matthew: The first book of the New Testament, presenting Jesus's life, teachings, death, and resurrection. Matthew links Jesus's Bethlehem birth to Herod and the visit of the Magi.
Hebrew Bible: The collection of ancient Jewish scriptures that forms the first part of the Christian Bible. Bethlehem's significance predates Christianity in the Hebrew Bible.
Milk Grotto: A chapel in Bethlehem built over a grotto associated with a Christian tradition about the Holy Family. This local shrine extends Bethlehem's devotional geography beyond the Nativity church.

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