Find out more about the man behind Christmas or why Jerusalem is sacred to three religions
While many of us today celebrate Christmas as the season of giving and time spent with loved ones, many forget that Christmas originated from the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Whether or not you are a believer, there have been various records from different sources about this intriguing man and Jerusalem is the best place to discover more about his life, what he did, and how Christmas came to be celebrated today.
Moreover, Jerusalem is a holy city to three major religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Walking through and exploring this ancient and hallowed city may just help to illuminate for you the origins and history, and legacy of these unique monotheistic faiths.
The man behind Christmas
According to the New Testament of the bible, Jesus was born in a manger in the town of Bethlehem. While he was raised in Nazareth and came to be known as “the Nazarene”, he spent much of his adult life and ministry in Jerusalem. In fact, the famous “Passion of the Christ” is set in this very city, as it was also in this area that he was crucified.
Golgotha, the very site of Jesus’ crucifixion, sees pilgrims thronging from all over the world to pay homage and to reflect on their faith. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Jesus’ body was laid, is often regarded as Christianity’s holiest site.
Hallowed City
Being sacred to Judaism for roughly 300 years, to Christianity for around 2,000 years and to Islam for approximately 1,400 years, Jerusalem a city full of religious meaning and history.
One of the many other holy Christian sites still standing today is the Cenacle, believed by Christians to be the site of Jesus’ Last Supper as well as that of the “Descent of the Holy Spirit”. It is located in the same building that is believed by Jews to house the tomb of King David.
Another example is the Al-Aqsa Mosque, connected to the Muslim belief that Muhammad was miraculously transported one night from Mecca to the Temple Mount of Jerusalem (also sacred to Jews), where he ascended to Heaven.
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