“Arise, all ye nobles and peasants,” Saint Alphonsus Ligouri writes, “Mary invites all, rich and poor, just and sinners, to enter the cave of Bethlehem, to adore and kiss the feet of her new-born son… Let us enter; let us not be afraid.”
As Saint Alphonsus beautifully reminds us, the birth of Christ at Bethlehem calls to each of us, regardless of status or station, to come and partake in the joy of His nativity. Bethlehem — meaning “House of Bread” (in Hebrew, Beit-lehem) — is not only the birthplace of our Savior but a profound symbol of God’s love for His people. In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares, “The bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (John 6:33-35), and later, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:48). In the humble town of Bethlehem, the Bread of Life is born to nourish our souls.
As the Advent season approaches, many often reflect and rejoice over Christ’s birth, yet few truly consider the significance of the “House of Bread.” This Advent, we at OSV invite you to embark on a spiritual pilgrimage back to Bethlehem to deepen your understanding of this sacred place and the Christmas story.
Journey to Bethlehem on a spiritual pilgrimage
Join Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, O.P., as he leads a virtual pilgrimage through the streets of Bethlehem. Father Patrick will guide you through the ancient city and the humble birthplace of Jesus, exploring its significance and inviting you to draw nearer to the profound mystery of the Nativity.
By signing up through My Daily Visitor, participants will receive free daily emails including:
- Short reflection videos by Father Patrick, offering insights on the meaning of Advent
- Conversations with Christians living in Bethlehem, sharing their unique experiences within the city.
- Immersive footage from Bethlehem, helping you visualize the scenes of the Gospel from the comfort of your own home
Each day, as you reflect on these videos and meditations, you’ll be invited into the joy and peace of the Christmas story and the city in which God’s love was made manifest with the birth of Jesus, the Bread of Life.
Additionally, thanks to a partnership with Select to Give (a charity that provides relief for Christians in the Holy Land), Father Patrick will be traveling to Bethlehem this Christmas. “It’s important to me to shine a light on what our Christian brothers and sisters are experiencing there because of the war, ” Father Patrick said. “I want to go there as a sign of solidarity, as well as to take the prayers of Our Sunday Visitor readers to the Church of the Nativity this Christmas.”
Journeying together this Advent
“Let us go back to Bethlehem,” Pope Francis encourages, “It is good for us to go there, obedient to the Gospel of Christmas, which shows us the Holy Family, the shepherds, the Magi– all the people on a journey.” As the Pope reminds us, this spiritual pilgrimage calls to set out in faith since “life itself is a pilgrimage.”
This Advent, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, let us return to Bethlehem together. Through daily reflections, prayer, and a deeper connection with the Holy Land, we can prepare our hearts to receive the Bread of Life anew.
