Discover Bethlehem's Secrets: Top 9 Fun Facts Unveiled for Curious Travelers

1. Bethlehem: Celestial Traffic Jam Capital

In a land far, far away, where the stars align to create legendary traffic jams: Bethlehem holds the prestigious title of being the birthplace of King David, Jesus Christ, and the final resting place of Rachel, one of the Jewish matriarchs. This historic hotspot boasts Rachel's Tomb, an ancient shrine marking her grave, and is even linked to Messianic prophecies, as foretold in the book of Micah.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Santa's Bethlehem Hideaway

In a twist fit for a holiday movie, jolly ol' Saint Nick himself once traded his frosty North Pole abode for a stay in a cozy cave next to Bethlehem: The real-life Saint Nicholas, who inspired Santa Claus, spent time in a cave in Beit Jala during his pilgrimage to the Holy Land. A monastery now surrounds the cave, and the town celebrates Saint Nicholas Day on December 19th with a special church service. Visitors can even enter the cave and offer oil as thanks or seek the saint's blessings, while also admiring the town's renowned olive wood carvings, especially their festive Christmas ornaments.
Source => bethlehemhandicrafts.com

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3. Bethlehem: The Party That Ended

Once upon a time, Bethlehem was the "life of the Party": a sought-after destination for people of all faiths and a bustling hub of culture. Now, however, the West Bank Barrier has forced Bethlehem to become the introvert at the gathering, with just a few tourists keeping it company on day trips from Jerusalem, while the town braces itself in the face of shop closures and rising unemployment.
Source => whatstheweatherlike.org

4. Jesus' Ultimate Festive Hotspot

If Jesus made a list and checked it twice, Bethlehem would surely be the hotspot for all divine festivities: This ancient city in Palestine is not only renowned as the birthplace of Jesus Christ and home to the Church of the Nativity, but also for Rachel's Tomb and a vibrant history stretching back to the Canaanite civilization.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

5. Starry Bethlehem: Cosmic Calendar Confusion

Twinkle, twinkle, not-so-little conjunction, how they've come to brighten our holiday function: The "Star of Bethlehem," possibly a unique planetary alignment, guided the wise men to Jesus' birthplace, and in 2020, Jupiter and Saturn recreated a similar "Christmas star" not seen since 1226. But hold your horses, stargazers, the next cosmic spectacle is set for 2040, and not 2022 – as deceptive social media would have you believe.
Source => usatoday.com

6. Humble Door, Grand Church

Whoever said "size matters" clearly never tried to enter the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem: The imposing basilica features the petite Door of Humility, designed during the Crusader era to keep horse-riding intruders on the outside, as well as colossal red-and-white limestone columns showcasing 12th-century frescoes and an ancient mosaic floor revealed in 1934, making for an awe-inspiring visit charged with history and artistry.
Source => lonelyplanet.com

7. Holy Matchmaking: Three Churches One Roof

Talk about being too close for comfort: The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem actually consists of three monasteries belonging to the Roman Catholic, Armenian Apostolic, and Greek Orthodox churches, all cohabitating under the same roof since 1852. How's that for an ecclesiastical ménage à trois? The serious reveal: Despite their different denominations, the three churches share this oldest major church in the Holy Land, with a grotto believed to be Jesus' birthplace, making it prime Christian pilgrimage real estate.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. Bethlehem's Colorful Street Art Fiesta

Who knew that Bethlehem had a license to thrill - in color? This ancient city is like the Picasso of the art world, with the walls being the canvas and paintbrush fiesta left, right, and center: Bethlehem boasts an array of vibrant murals and sculptures crafted by local and international artists, turning the city's streets, from the Banana Factory Courtyard to the Hayes Street triplex and Victory House of Lehigh Valley, into a stunning, open-air art gallery.
Source => discoverlehighvalley.com

9. Bethlehem's A-List Biblical Stars

Bethlehem: the land where biblical stars were nurtured into greatness and where sheepish young men rose up the celebrity pastor charts: This enigmatic town is best known for its roster of A-list scripture stars, including King David who metamorphosed from a humble shepherd to the celebrated giant-slayer, and as the cozy hometown to the love story of Ruth and Boaz. Yet, the pièce de résistance that Bethlehem boasts is the Church of the Nativity - a place so iconic, it's believed to be the very stage where baby Jesus made his grand entrance into the world.
Source => fhu.edu