All Must Bow Down
How fitting that the oldest permanent Christian church in the world, the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, towers protectively over the birthplace of King Jesus. When my husband and I decided to visit the Holy Land, this sacred site was at the very top of our list.
For years, when I pictured the Lord’s birthplace, I imagined a quiet, low-lit manger scene, simple and humble. But the reality was different. Centuries of change had altered the setting. Surprisingly, what moved me most was not standing before the birthplace itself, but kneeling to enter the basilica.
The history is remarkable. In A.D. 330, Empress Helena—the mother of Emperor Constantine—ordered the first stones of the basilica to be laid. Though damaged in the sixth century, worship has continued there almost without interruption. In A.D. 532, Emperor Justinian ordered a major renovation, preserving the sacred site. Later, during the Crusader period, all but one entrance was bricked shut to protect the church from invading forces. The single remaining entryway is famously small. At just 5’1”, I found myself forced to my knees to pass through. This narrow passage is called The Entrance of Humility or The Door of Submission.
How profound: no one, regardless of faith, can enter the birthplace of King Jesus without first bowing low. Just the thought still gives me chills.
Scripture tells us:
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.’” (Matthew 2:1–2, ESV)
From the very beginning, Jesus has drawn the humble and the wise alike to worship Him. Shepherds bowed in awe. The Magi bowed in adoration. Today, pilgrims from every nation must literally bow to enter the place where God humbled Himself to be born among us.
Philippians 2:10–11 declares, “…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Standing in Bethlehem, I realized that humility is not optional—it is the doorway to Christ. Just as the basilica forces us to bend low, so life with Jesus calls us to lay down our pride, bow before Him, and worship the One who left heaven’s glory to be born in a manger.
