About three miles away, the most significant event of all took place. Jesus was born in the small town of Bethlehem, a village that stood, literally, in the shadow of Herod?s greatness.
Click here to see a diagram of Bethlehem and the Herodion
Next to the massive Herodion, the quiet place of Jesus? birth must have seemed insignificant to people of his day. Bethlehem was not a place of extravagant palaces or mighty power: It was a home for farmers and shepherds.
In fact, Jesus wasn?t even born in the comfort of a home, much less a lavish palace. Mary gave birth amidst animals, probably in a cave where goats and sheep slept through the night. The Messiah—king of the whole world—slept in a manger that was used to feed animals.
