Some scholars argue that the emphasis on Bethlehem as Jesus's birthplace arose from the desire to link him to an ancient Hebrew prophecy. The prophet Micah predicted that the Messiah would be born ...

Father Issa Thaljieh, a 40-year-old Greek Orthodox parish priest at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, kneels at the spot where tradition says Jesus was born. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times ...

Finally, groups reach Bethlehem and visit the manger where Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus are staying. All of the characters are volunteers from the church dressed in costume, as close to 200 ...

Tourists visit the Church of the Nativity, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. The Church of the Nativity is built on the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born.

Now, the site widely held to be the birthplace of Jesus has become the center of a new political battle, this one pitting Palestinians against the guardians of the church, among others.

Filing past a 16-metre (52-ft) Christmas tree in Manger Square, visitors from all over the world made a Christmas Eve pilgrimage to Bethlehem, the town revered as the birthplace of Jesus.

BETHLEHEM, West Bank — It isn’t subtle. Nor is it intended to be. Instead of a pastoral-looking Nativity scene, the creche features baby Jesus wrapped in a checkered Palestinian kaffiyeh, ...

Filing past a 16-metre (52-ft) Christmas tree in Manger Square, visitors from all over the world made a Christmas Eve pilgrimage to Bethlehem, the town revered as the birthplace of Jesus.