Is the Church of the Holy Nativity
Really Where Christ was Born?
The Church of the Holy Nativity in modern Bethlehem
Most people are followers. Rarely do we ask the question “why?” Most people follow the established leadership without questioning the direction they are being led. The church is no exception to this incongruous pattern of behavior.
In a previous article I wrote we established that archaeology is very important to our faith. The details of the correct archaeological sites not only verify the minutiae of scriptures, their significance glorify God. Rarely does a person question the established holy sites that were instituted many years ago. We just assume that the person who identified the holy sites was correct in his conclusions about those sites.
One of the holiest sites in Christianity is the place where Jesus the Messiah was born. Rarely has anyone challenged the authenticity of the site where believers have worshipped for almost two thousand years. Not only am I questioning the authenticity of the Church of the Holy Nativity, I am also questioning who chose this place and why. Let’s look at the Bible and history as a measure of where the real birthplace of Jesus should be.
Jesus was born in the ancient city of Bethlehem Ephrata (Micah 5:2). Ephrata in the Hebrew means fruit or produce. Bethlehem Ephrata was different than the city of Bethlehem. It was the farm village for the city of Bethlehem. Although they were closely connected and close in proximity, they were two different places. This is clearly seen in the story of Ruth and Boaz. Naomi sent Ruth DOWN to the thresingfloor where Boaz was threshing his grain (Ruth 3:3). After Boaz gave Ruth 3 measures of Barely, she went back UP into the city (Ruth 3:15). The farm village of Bethlehem Ephrata was down the hill from the city of Bethlehem. Yalkut HaMichiri details how David grew up at the Tower of the Flock in Bethlehem Ephrata while his brothers lived in the city of Bethlehem.
This dynamic is also seen in the story of David’s well (II Samuel 23:14-16). David and his army were in Bethlehem surrounded by the Philistines. David made the statement that he wished he had a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem. Three of his mighty men broke through the garrison and retrieved a cup of water from the well of Bethlehem and brought it back to David. This story makes sense only if Bethlehem the city and Bethlehem Ephrata where David was born and raised are two separate locations. The details of the story mandate that the well was in a location outside of the city of Bethlehem.
If the Church of the Holy Nativity were the correct location where Christ was born, then it would have to be down the hill from the ancient city of Bethlehem. It appears that the Church of the Holy Nativity is on the top of a hill. I do not know of any ancient city that has been located above the Church of the Holy Nativity. The real birthplace of Christ would have an ancient well close by. The traditional site seems to lack an ancient well.
The Bible indicates that Jesus was born at the Tower of the Flock (Micah 4:8). The Tower of the Flock was a large watchtower that overlooked the shepherd’s fields in the valley below. If the real birthplace of the Messiah were found, evidence of the Tower of the Flock would have to be found there also.
There are numerous other details that the Bible and history convey which cannot be found at the Church of the Holy Nativity. Although the authorities of the Church hold this place to be sacred and holy, I question why are we even looking here for one of the most holy places of our faith? Who said this was Christ’s birthplace and why did he choose this place? It is time we start asking the obvious questions concerning our beliefs.
I will write more about the accuracy of the location of the Church of the Holy Nativity in my next article. God says the ancient ruins of the holy sites will be found in the end times. The true holy sites will be used as a catalyst to draw God’s people together and restore God’s children to the way we should live (Isaiah 58:12).
© Dr. Steven L Smith 2016
In a previous article I wrote we established that archaeology is very important to our faith. The details of the correct archaeological sites not only verify the minutiae of scriptures, their significance glorify God. Rarely does a person question the established holy sites that were instituted many years ago. We just assume that the person who identified the holy sites was correct in his conclusions about those sites.
One of the holiest sites in Christianity is the place where Jesus the Messiah was born. Rarely has anyone challenged the authenticity of the site where believers have worshipped for almost two thousand years. Not only am I questioning the authenticity of the Church of the Holy Nativity, I am also questioning who chose this place and why. Let’s look at the Bible and history as a measure of where the real birthplace of Jesus should be.
Jesus was born in the ancient city of Bethlehem Ephrata (Micah 5:2). Ephrata in the Hebrew means fruit or produce. Bethlehem Ephrata was different than the city of Bethlehem. It was the farm village for the city of Bethlehem. Although they were closely connected and close in proximity, they were two different places. This is clearly seen in the story of Ruth and Boaz. Naomi sent Ruth DOWN to the thresingfloor where Boaz was threshing his grain (Ruth 3:3). After Boaz gave Ruth 3 measures of Barely, she went back UP into the city (Ruth 3:15). The farm village of Bethlehem Ephrata was down the hill from the city of Bethlehem. Yalkut HaMichiri details how David grew up at the Tower of the Flock in Bethlehem Ephrata while his brothers lived in the city of Bethlehem.
This dynamic is also seen in the story of David’s well (II Samuel 23:14-16). David and his army were in Bethlehem surrounded by the Philistines. David made the statement that he wished he had a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem. Three of his mighty men broke through the garrison and retrieved a cup of water from the well of Bethlehem and brought it back to David. This story makes sense only if Bethlehem the city and Bethlehem Ephrata where David was born and raised are two separate locations. The details of the story mandate that the well was in a location outside of the city of Bethlehem.
If the Church of the Holy Nativity were the correct location where Christ was born, then it would have to be down the hill from the ancient city of Bethlehem. It appears that the Church of the Holy Nativity is on the top of a hill. I do not know of any ancient city that has been located above the Church of the Holy Nativity. The real birthplace of Christ would have an ancient well close by. The traditional site seems to lack an ancient well.
The Bible indicates that Jesus was born at the Tower of the Flock (Micah 4:8). The Tower of the Flock was a large watchtower that overlooked the shepherd’s fields in the valley below. If the real birthplace of the Messiah were found, evidence of the Tower of the Flock would have to be found there also.
There are numerous other details that the Bible and history convey which cannot be found at the Church of the Holy Nativity. Although the authorities of the Church hold this place to be sacred and holy, I question why are we even looking here for one of the most holy places of our faith? Who said this was Christ’s birthplace and why did he choose this place? It is time we start asking the obvious questions concerning our beliefs.
I will write more about the accuracy of the location of the Church of the Holy Nativity in my next article. God says the ancient ruins of the holy sites will be found in the end times. The true holy sites will be used as a catalyst to draw God’s people together and restore God’s children to the way we should live (Isaiah 58:12).
© Dr. Steven L Smith 2016