My Dear People, 

As we draw closer to Christmas, the theme of the readings concentrates on the Birth of Christ in Bethlehem. Bethlehem was the city of David. The Messiah who is to sit on the throne of David and is a descendant of the line of David was born in the same city where David was born and reared. Luke mentions clearly and connects why Mary and Joseph had to register for the Census, explaining the connection between David and Jesus. Jesus is the one who will be the King of Israel and will sit on the throne of David, and that throne and reign will remain forever.  As Micah said, “Thus says the Lord: “You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me, one who is to be ruler in Israel: whose origin is from of old, from ancient times.” Indeed, Jesus said: “Before Abraham was, I am!” When Jesus said this, He fulfilled the prophecy of Micah.  For the people to understand, all they had to do was to learn from the prophet Micah, Jesus was the one he was talking about. Jesus was the one who would sit on the throne of David, and His reign would last forever.  

The only way that is possible is if He is the Son of God. No mere human would even attempt to say this. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which in Hebrew, Beth-Lehem, means the “House-of Bread,” so named because of its fertile fields. The town of Bethlehem was the traditional site of the burial of Rachel and was (and is) only a few miles from Jerusalem, which would become David’s capital (2 Sam 5). 

When I visited Israel, it was at a time when the Jews were pilgrimaging to the tomb of Rachel. A special area was blocked off so Jews could visit the tomb of Rachel (the wife of Jacob). The security was very high so everything and everyone could go about peacefully, since this was basically Arab territory. (Once, in Bethlehem I had a Jewish tour guide, who could not accompany us, because there is a very distinct rule that a Jewish tour guide cannot guide pilgrims in Arab territory.)

The church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is one of the oldest churches in Christianity. It was built about 570. It was one church that was never destroyed. When the Persians came to Israel they destroyed many Christian churches, since they do not recognize Christ to be the Messiah; however, when they came to the Church of the Nativity, they saw a depiction of the magi, clothed the way they dress in their own land.  Because of this likeness in clothing, they thought if they destroyed this edifice, it would be a bad omen. So, they left it alone. 

To this day the church stands.  The front entrance is very unique. In order to prevent anyone from coming to the church on horseback and harassing the people, they covered it up with stones, except for a small entrance, a little over three feet high.  Very appropriately, the square in front of it is called Manger Square. 

With this note I wish all of you to have a very Merry Christmas. May the heart and love of Jesus fill your lives and be with your family and close ones this Season, Have a Merry Christmas. 

Blessings, 

Fr. Vincent Clemente