Your tax-deductible gift supports our mission of reporting the truth and restoring the church. Donate $50 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you can elect to receive \u201cGods of the Smoke Machine\u201d by Scott Latta, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The war has destroyed much of the economy of the Palestinian territories. This area \u2014 so important to Christians around the world as the birth place of Jesus \u2014 lives primarily on pilgrims and Christmas tour companies. When I visited Israel this past October, shopkeepers told me the past two years had been terrible for business. More checkpoints have had a chilling effect on tourism, cutting off entire communities in the process. \u00a0<\/p>\n Nearby is the Church of the Nativity. The grotto holds a special religious significance to Christians of all denominations as the birthplace of Jesus. The grotto \u2014 the oldest site continuously used as a place of worship in Christianity \u2014 and the church are the oldest major sites in all the Holy Land.<\/p>\n Of the four Gospels, both Matthew and Luke mention the birth of Jesus, both placing it in Bethlehem. Luke 2:7 mentions the manger: \u201cShe wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.\u201d<\/p>\n The church itself was originally commissioned by Constantine the Great after his mother Helena\u2019s visit to the region in the year 325. Built on the site traditionally considered to be the birthplace of Jesus, the original basilica was likely built between the years 330 and 333.<\/p>\n The church was destroyed by fire during the Samaritan revolts of the sixth century, possibly in 529, and a new basilica was built a number of years later by Byzantine Emperor Justinian.<\/p>\n While largely unchanged since the reconstruction, the church has seen numerous repairs and additions, especially from the Crusader period, such as two bell towers (which are now gone), wall mosaics and paintings. Over the centuries, the surrounding compound was expanded. Today, the church covers approximately 129,000 square feet, comprising three different monasteries: one Catholic, one Armenian Apostolic and one Greek Orthodox.<\/p>\n Beyond the church, Bethlehem hopes the truce between Israel and Hamas endures \u2013 but the death and destruction that has taken place is not forgotten. \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAs Bethlehem lights its Christmas tree, the deep anguish endured by our people in Gaza does not leave our hearts,\u201d Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati told reporters. \u201cThe wound of Gaza is our wound, the people of Gaza are our people, and the light of Christmas has no meaning unless it first touches the hearts of the afflicted, and the oppressed all over Palestine.\u201d<\/p>\n What this year\u2019s tree provides the people of Bethlehem is a moment, albeit temporary, in which people can gather. This communal event \u2014 not one of protest, but in shared yearning for joy \u2014 is what Christmas is all about this season for a land in much need of peace.<\/p>\n This story was originally published by\u00a0Religion Unplugged<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Bethlehem](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Church-of-the-Nativity.jpg\")
Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Photo courtesy of bethlehem-city.org<\/p>\n
![\"clemente](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/lisi-clemente-150x150.jpg\")