Friday, March 19, 2010

Birthplace of Jesus Christ in the Grotto of the Nativity

Photo: This Silver Star, beneath the altar in the Grotto of the Nativity, marks the spot believed to be the Birthplace of Jesus Christ.

The antiquity of this tradition is attested by the Christian apologist Justin Martyr (AD 100-165), who noted in his Dialogue with Trypho that the Holy Family had taken refuge in a cave outside of town: “Joseph 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, and here the Magi who came from Arabia found Him (Chapter LXXVIII).

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