(Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem)
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You won't see a star above the place believed to be where the Christ Child was born, but you will see a 14-pointed silver star on the marble floor of the Grotto of the Nativity. An inscription on the star reads (in English): Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary.
The grotto, a dimly lit rock cave, rectangular in shape, measuring about 9 X 36 feet. The grotto is under the watchful care of the Greek Orthodox Church.
When Constantine authorized the building of the original Church of the Nativity in the 4th century, the grotto was enlarged to its current size to accommodate pilgrims. Also at that time, a silver manger was installed.
Entry is from inside the Church of the Nativity. Steps have been carved to the right of the altar area of the church (the iconostasis), which lead to the subterranean cave.
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