December 4, 2011:

Ponderings of a Pilgrim PASTOR

“Christmas Places: Bethlehem”

Bethlehem lies just a few miles south of Jerusalem. It is possible to see the city from there since Bethlehem itself sits on a hill. Bethlehem is mentioned a number of times in the Old Testament. It was the setting for the lovely story of Ruth. It is even more noted as the birthplace and hometown of David. So it was called "the City of David."

All Hebrew names have a meaning and Bethlehem is no exception. It may mean ("Beth") "House" of ("lehem") "bread." Since Hebrew is a language of few words. The same word may mean several things. It is also possible Bethlehem means "the place of fighting or battles." We know how in our own country towns and cities can have strange names that no one understands anymore. For example, "Kalamazoo" means "the place where the water boils in the pot" in Native American. No one is sure just how it got the name.

Of course, Bethlehem is most famous as the traditional birthplace of Jesus. While most of Bethlehem sits on a hill, there are numerous caves carved out of the face of the cliff. Justin Martyr in the Second Century mentions the belief that Jesus was born in one of those caves used by shepherds as a stable for their flocks.

In 325 C.E. Constantine built a basilica over a series of caves said to have been the birthplace of Jesus. After that church was destroyed, another was built in the 6th century by the Emperor Justinian and this is essentially the church pilgrims visit today. In the church there is a stairway leading down into one of those caves. The traditional birthplace of Jesus is marked by a silver star in the floor.

I personally found myself more moved by visiting one of the hill caves still used as a stable. Jesus was born in obscurity and poverty. I believe he would be more concerned about how we treat poor children today rather than visiting and worshiping at an ancient shrine to his birth.

Love,
Dave