Biblical Moment 8: In Bethlehem Visiting the Church of the Nativity where Jesus was Born!

Sacred place where Our Lord Jesus was born! In the grotto beneath the altar of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem!

Luke 2:4-7: “Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Extraordinary day crossing into Palestine and walking a couple of miles through Bethlehem up to the Church of the Nativity… going into the Nativity Grotto under the altar and seeing the exact spot where Jesus was born and a few feet away the manger… right after witnessing the Noon Blessing! Al-le-lu-ia!

The exact spot in the Nativity Grotto where Jesus was born!

Through the door I went that led from the Casa Nova Franciscan House for Pilgrims to the Churches of St. Catherine and the Nativity. Without really thinking or plotting out a course I found myself at the opening of the grotto or the small cave beneath the Nativity altar where Jesus was born. I went in only to be stopped by a man with a hand that looks like the stop signs in Israel. Wait ten minutes he said as I inched closer down the shaft to Jesus.

I quickly realized that a Noon blessing ceremony was about to take place so I went to the video and captured it timing out my 5-minute timer twice and then shot a third depicting their exit through the tiny door at the end of the cavern that I would wonder about a bit later.

CLICK HERE for Part 1 of 3 of the VIDEO of the Noon Nativity Blessing!

CLICK HERE for Part 2 of 3 of the VIDEO of the Noon Nativity Blessing!

CLICK HERE for Part 3 of 3 of the VIDEO of the Noon Nativity Blessing!

Another Prayer of Smiles & Joy at the Manger, about 10 feet from the spot where Jesus was born in the Nativity Grotto under the altar in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Palestine!

I was first in and all in to the exact spot where Jesus was born over 2,000 years ago. Like my Mom & Dad’s passing’s it was a chilling experience yet with a deep-hearted joy that all is good with all aspects of our God-created lives. This was pure joy and full acceptance and belief that our Savior was born right here and lived to change the world in conjunction with The Holy Spirit as directed by God. The manger area was no more than ten feet away and it too was a spiritual experience to see!

After taking more than my fair share of time in the grotto where Jesus was born I emerged to the beautiful altar of the Church of the Nativity. There I lit a candle rejoicing in the Lord’s upcoming birth and found a nook to journal a bit and read my Bible. Then I went back and thanked Lourdes and Mahmoud. Even though they do not know one another they knew me and my Splendid Spiritual Self through their Splendid Spiritual Selves and helped me along in my spiritual journey. I would see them both again on Christmas.