Bethlehem

a village of Palestine noted as the birthplace of King David and Christ the Lord. Thus it is written by the prophet, "And thou Bethlehem in the land of Juda art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor that shall rule my people Israel." The village is about five miles south of Jerusalem on the road to Egypt. It is a beautiful spot nestling at the foot of a hill covered with vines and olive trees. It commands an extensive view of Moab, the plain of the Jordan and wilderness of Engedi, whither David fled to escape Saul. Three convents are here; also a dignified church built over the grotto in which tradition declares Christ was born. An aqueduct brings an abundance of pure water from the hill. There are about 3,000 inhabitants who make a living chiefly by entertaining travelers and by manufacturing curios, mother-of-pearl boxes, rosaries, and crucifixes of olive wood to be sold to pilgrims and tourists who desire a souvenir from the birthplace of Christ. Bethlehem is a Hebrew word meaning "house of bread." It has reference to the fertility of the soil in that region. See Jerusalem; Palestine