Bethlehem: A Small Town at the Center of Christian History
How Bethlehem’s place in ancient Judea shaped Christian memory from the birth narratives to centuries of pilgrimage and tradition.
Bethlehem is a small town located south of Jerusalem in the hill country of Judea, yet its historical significance within Christianity far exceeds its modest size. Bethlehem became notable in Christian history because it was identified in early Christian sources as the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth, an association that shaped how Christians understood the origins of their faith and connected the Christian story to earlier Jewish history. Over time, Bethlehem evolved from a minor settlement into one of Christianity’s most important remembered places, anchoring theological narrative, historical memory, and physical pilgrimage in a single location.
