The Place of Christ’s Birth in Bethlehem

The place of Christ’s birth in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The photograph was taken by the author of the source.

The Grotto of the Nativity is first mentioned in written sources around the year 150, and an underground church has stood here since the time of Saint Helena. The place of the birth is marked by a 14-pointed silver star set into the floor, which symbolises the Star of Bethlehem and bears a Latin inscription. Above the star, in a semicircular niche, hang 16 lamps: 6 belong to the Armenians, 6 to the Orthodox and 4 to the Catholics. According to the source, people of different nations stand and watch the Armenians hold their service.

The photograph shows the silver star on the marble floor and the burning lamps hanging above it.