The cradle of  biblical history, Bethlehem is located five and half miles from Jerusalem no town in the world has such a glorious history or exalted status as Bethlehem. It is  birthplace of Jesus Christ, is three times holy, being revered by the followers of the three heavenly religions. It contains the shrine of Rachel,  it is here that the Prophet Muhammad prayed on his way to Jerusalem. He is reported as having said, “When I was taken on the Midnight Journey to Jerusalem, Gabriel took me to Bethlehem, saying, 'Alight and pray two raq'as, for here is the birthplace of your brother Jesus, peace be upon him', and then I was taken to the Rock”. 

 The town of Bethlehem has 27,000 inhabitants half of whom are Moslems and half are Christians. Beit Jala and Beit Sahour, the two neighboring sister towns, have respectively 13,000 and 12,000 inhabitants. During the Palestinian Nakkba ( Diaspora) many Palestinians fled their homes and villages in Palestine some of them become refugees in Bethlehem, they settled in three refugee camps in the camps are... Dheisheh refugee camp 11.000 inhabitants was visited by Pope John Paul II in year 2000. Aida refugee Camp 6.000 inhabitants, and Beit Jebreen refugee camp 3.000 inhabitants.

For over 2000 years, Christianity has enjoyed a continued presence in Palestine. Palestinian Christians are the "Living Faithful", who were among the first to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. The coming of Islam in the 7th century did not alter the situation for the people of Bethlehem who remained Christian in their majority until this century. Historically Bethlehem has embodied hope in the minds of  humankind. Its historic and sacred meaning shines like a guiding star in our consciousness.

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem ranks amongst the most important Christian Holy Places throughout the Christian World - perhaps it is even its holiest. Millions of Christians around the globe relate to this place through the One, Jesus Christ, who was born here.

Throughout the centuries, millions of Christians have visited the Holy Land to affirm and deepen their faith. In the coming year, should peace prevail, many more will make the journey. Should war continue, however,  please make your pilgrimage by having a candle lit for you or for your loved ones at the Nativity Church where Jesus was born. Let us all pray for peace in the Holy Land. Let us light thousands of candles this Easter in Bethlehem, where Jesus, The Prince of Peace was born.

Bible Artists

Dheisheh Refugee Camp