Jesus was born in a cave (or grotto)

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Dan_Defender

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‘But when the child was born in Bethlehem, since Joseph could not find a lodging in that village, he took up his quarters in a certain cave near the village, and while they were there Mary brought forth the Christ and placed him in a manger.’ - St Justin Martyr
'‘In conformity with the narrative in the Gospel regarding His birth, there is shown at Bethlehem the cave where He was born, and the manger in the cave where He was wrapped in swaddling clothes. And this sight is greatly talked of in surrounding places.’ - Origen of Alexandria
‘Bethlehem is the most venerated site in the world.’ - St Jerome
While it is known that Emperor Constantine built an earlier octagonal Basilica at the site, the current Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem was built over the grotto by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century. In the early 7th century, Persians (Sasanian Empire) conquered Jerusalem and Bethlehem but they did not destroy this Church, presumably because of images of the three wise men inside the Church, whom they recognized as Persians.
 
Thank you.
I think the cave was also mentioned in The mystical city of God by Sister Mary Jesus of Agreda who was a 17th Century Spanish nun.
 
Yes and also in the visions of Blessed Sister Catherine Emmerich.
 
It certainly looks like a cave when you go down into it.
The Manger is made of stone, typical of mangers in that time and place, we saw other Roman-era mangers at archaeological sites.
 
Is it crowded? do you have to stand in line to enter the Church of the Nativity?
 
Yes, it’s very crowded. You wait in line for hours. The Orthodox run the place, they didnt like us praying the Rosary out loud in line and made us stop. We were lucky to get in because they were about to have some big fancy service in the church above the cave (this happens frequently) and they close the cave off when having the services. People push in line and try to get ahead. It was like the Cincinnati Who concert to be honest. I am glad I visited but if I went back I’d go at 5 am or something to try to beat the line.
 
I can imagine people pushing and cutting in line. I would be tempted to anger/frustration. And patience is a virtue I still pray for and making tiny steps of progress.
 
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