FORMATIONS. Learner s Study Guide. Look inside. Moses Practical Lessons from Israel s Greatest Leader. Spiritual Gifts

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1 FORMATIONS Learner s Study Guide Adult Bible Study September December 2006 Moses Practical Lessons from Israel s Greatest Leader Spiritual Gifts Serving God through What You Do Best God with Us: Ways to Keep Our Faith Strong Five Crucial Aspects of Discipleship The New Day God Is Up to Something Great! Look inside for new travel journal the adoration Church of the Nativity photo: Cloister adjacent to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

2 This travel journal leads us on a journey to a location related to the Bible. the adoration Formations Photo Journal by Jim Pitts Church of the Nativity bethlehem { Throughout the years, the little town of Bethlehem, five miles south of Jerusalem, has } been a place of hope and hospitality, worry and woe. Until recently, most residents of Bethlehem worked in the hospitality industry. Due to the political turmoil, hotels are now closed and stores selling local products, such as hand-carved olive wood manger sets and local jewelry, see few pilgrims and tourists. Bethlehem has a population of 28,000, roughly 18,000 Muslims and 10,000 Christians. Another 150,000 people live in refugee camps outside of Bethlehem. About 36 years ago, 80 percent of Bethlehem s residents were Christian; now Christians comprise 5.6 percent of the greater Bethlehem region. In an effort to combat terrorism, the Israeli government is constructing a concrete wall on the northern edge of Bethlehem, sealing off the Palestinian territory from Israel. Snaking across terraced hillsides, the completed barrier will stretch across the land for hundreds of miles. Here in this sacred but troubled town, the New Testament places the birth of Jesus. But long before the The Church of the Nativity In Bethlehem s Church of the Nativity pilgrims visit the traditional birthplace of Jesus. In a grotto or cave under the Basilica's main altar a fourteenpointed silver star is inscribed "Hic de Virgine Maria Jesus Christus natus est" - Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary." birth of the Christ child, Bethlehem entered the biblical story. Bethlehem is first mentioned in the Bible in reference to

3 Church of the Nativity The focal point of Bethlehem today is the Church of the Nativity. The church dates to the reign of Constantine; its construction began AD 329, and it was dedicated by Queen Helena on May 31, AD 339. Rachel s burial site at Ephrath on the road from Jerusalem to Bethlehem (Gen 35:19). Bethlehem was the northernmost settlement of the tribe of Judah, and the early inhabitants of Bethlehem were associated with the family of Caleb. The village appears in Judges 17:7-13 as the home of the Levite who became priest to Micah. The concubine of The Wise Men s adoration The Wise Men's adoration of the Christ child is depicted in this stained glass window over the entrance to St. Catherine's Church. Here in Bethlehem's Basilica of the Nativity, pilgrims visit the traditional birthplace of Jesus. the Levite of Ephraim was from Bethlehem (Judg 19). The events recorded in the book of Ruth occurred mostly in the region of Bethlehem (Ruth 1:1-2; 2:4; 4:11). Ruth s story leads to the events that gave major importance to the town as the birthplace of King David (1 Sam 16).

4 Bethlehem Citing its Davidic heritage, Micah prophesied greatness for the town: But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days (Mic 5:2). Micah s prophecy was understood to indicate that the Messiah, like David, would be born in Bethlehem (Jn 7:42). Matthew (2:1-12) and Luke (2:4-20) report that Jesus was born in that humble village. After the Babylonian captivity, Bethlehem was the destination of more than 100 returning exiles (Ezra 2:21). Citing its Davidic heritage, Micah prophesied greatness for the town: But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days (Mic 5:2). Micah s prophecy was understood to indicate that the Messiah, like David, would be born in Bethlehem (Jn 7:42). Matthew (2:1-12) and Luke (2:4-20) report that Jesus was born in that humble village. A field near the town has been identified as the place where the shepherds experienced an angelic announcement of the Savior s birth.

5 When Herod built fortresses at Herodium and Masada, Bethlehem overlooked the roads to those royal retreats. Matthew and Luke place Jesus birth during the last years of Herod the Great, who died in 4 BC. Matthew tells of Herod s killing of Bethlehem s young male children. With his paranoid personality, he even executed members of his own family out of fear they might take over the throne. According to Christian tradition, Jesus was born in a cave on the outskirts of Bethlehem. In AD 326, Emperor Constantine initiated the construction of the Church of the Nativity over this cave, long revered as the site of the Savior s birth. The Church of the Nativity was destroyed during the Samaritan revolt (c. 529) and rebuilt by Justinian I ( ). The newer structure forms the basic sanctuary that is still in use today, although many modifications have been made. A legend relates that during the Persian Conquest in 614, the church was preserved when the invaders saw the three wise men in a Cell of St. Jerome The cell of St. Jerome where he translated the Bible (Vulgate). Church of the Nativity Although the Church of the Nativity has been renovated several times over the centuries, the beautiful mosaic floor of the original church has been preserved. mosaic of the birth of Jesus and recognized their clothing as Persian. The main sanctuary of the Church of the Nativity is 170 feet long and 80 feet wide. Fragments of mosaics from the fourth century are covered with a wooden floor. Pilgrims descending a short staircase beneath the main altar enter a small grotto or cave commemorating the place of Jesus birth. A silver star marks this sacred spot where the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.