🙏 To feel closer to God
Leaving ordinary life behind gives time for prayer and thought. Many pilgrims say they feel closer to God in a holy place.
Christianity: Celebration and Pilgrimage » Christian Pilgrimage and Bethlehem
What you'll learn this session
Study time: 30 minutes
Edexcel spec: Paper 2 Christianity (4RS1/2B), 2.2
- What pilgrimage is and why Christians go on one
- How Christian pilgrimage began and how it grew
- The Church of the Nativity, Shepherds' Field and Manger Square in Bethlehem
- What pilgrims do in Bethlehem and why it matters to them
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Unlock This CourseWhat is Christian pilgrimage?
A pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place for a religious reason. A person who makes one is called a pilgrim. The journey is part of the act of faith: the travelling, the waiting and the prayer on the way all count.
Christianity does not make pilgrimage a duty. The Bible does not command Christians to go, and no Christian is told they have failed if they never do. Many Christians find it helpful, and for some it is a high point in their faith.
Key terms:
- Pilgrimage: a journey to a holy place for a religious reason.
- Holy Land: the area where Jesus lived, taught, died and, Christians believe, rose again. It includes Bethlehem, Nazareth and Jerusalem.
- Grotto: a cave. In Bethlehem it means the cave under the Church of the Nativity.
How Christian pilgrimage began
The first Christians were close to the places where Jesus had lived, so people soon wanted to visit them. In the 4th century, after the Roman Empire stopped persecuting Christians, pilgrimage grew quickly. Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine, travelled to the Holy Land and helped to start the building of churches at holy sites. Writers from that time record ordinary pilgrims making the long journey too.
By the Middle Ages, pilgrimage was very popular in Europe. Pilgrims travelled to the Holy Land, to Rome and to other holy places such as Santiago de Compostela in Spain and Canterbury in England. The journey could take months and was often dangerous, so it showed real commitment.
Why do Christians go on pilgrimage?
👣 To walk where Jesus walked
The Gospels become more real when pilgrims stand in the places they read about.
🌟 To give thanks
Some go to thank God for a blessing, such as a safe birth or a recovery from illness.
💖 To seek healing or forgiveness
Some pray for healing for themselves or others. Others hope for forgiveness and a fresh start.
There is one more reason. Pilgrims meet and worship with other Christians, often from many countries. This reminds them that the Church is a worldwide community.
Pilgrimage to Bethlehem
Bethlehem is the town where Christians believe Jesus was born. You met the story of his birth in the lesson on Christmas, Advent and Epiphany. Pilgrims go there to see the setting of that story. Three places are especially important.
The Church of the Nativity
This is one of the oldest churches in the world that is still in use. The first church was built in the 4th century. It stands over a cave, called the grotto, which Christians have long honoured as the place where Jesus was born. In the grotto, a silver star is set in the floor to mark the traditional spot of his birth. Pilgrims kneel, pray, touch or kiss the star and light candles. Many enter through a very low doorway, which makes everyone bow their head as they go in.
Shepherds' Field
Luke's Gospel says that shepherds were looking after their sheep at night when angels told them about the birth of Jesus. Shepherds' Field, near Bethlehem, is the place traditionally linked with this. Pilgrims hold services and sing carols there, often outdoors. They read the story where it is said to have happened. Different Churches honour their own traditional sites in the area.
Manger Square
Manger Square is the open space in front of the Church of the Nativity. It is where people gather on Christmas Eve. Pilgrims and local Christians come together to celebrate, with music, singing and prayer. Services are held in the nearby churches, including Midnight Mass for Catholics. It is a moment when Christians from many countries and traditions share the same celebration.
Why Bethlehem matters to pilgrims
Pilgrims often say that being in Bethlehem makes the Christmas story feel real, not just something they have heard. It can deepen their faith and bring them closer to Christians around the world. Many return with a stronger commitment to their faith.
Common mistakes
- Saying Christians must go on pilgrimage. It is not required, and the Bible does not command it.
- Describing what pilgrims do without saying why it matters. For a 6-mark answer, always link the action to a belief or an effect on the pilgrim.
- Mixing up the three places. The silver star is in the grotto under the Church of the Nativity, the carols are at Shepherds' Field, and the Christmas Eve gathering is in Manger Square.
- Thinking every Christian agrees. Some Churches value pilgrimage highly, while others see it as less important. You will look at these attitudes in the next lesson.
Exam-style question
Paper 2 (Christianity)
(a) Outline two activities that Christian pilgrims do in Bethlehem. [4 marks, AO1]
(b) Explain why Bethlehem is important for Christian pilgrims. [6 marks, AO1 and AO2]
(c) 'Going on pilgrimage is the best way for a Christian to grow in faith.' Discuss this statement, considering the arguments for and against. In your answer you should include reference to teachings, other (divergent) points of view, and your opinion using reasoned arguments. [10 marks, AO1 and AO2]
Model answer
(a) Pilgrims kneel and pray at the silver star in the grotto of the Church of the Nativity (1), because it marks the traditional place where Jesus was born (1). Pilgrims sing carols and hold services at Shepherds' Field (1), where the shepherds are said to have heard the angels (1).
(b) Bethlehem is important because Christians believe Jesus, the Son of God, was born there. The Church of the Nativity is one of the oldest churches in the world, so pilgrims feel part of a very long Christian tradition. Standing at the silver star helps them feel close to the birth of Jesus, so their faith becomes more real. At Shepherds' Field, pilgrims read Luke's story where it is said to have happened, which helps them understand the Gospel. Manger Square is where Christians from many countries gather on Christmas Eve, so it reminds them that they belong to a worldwide Church. For many pilgrims this strengthens their faith and brings them closer to God.
(c) Plan. For: pilgrims walk where Jesus walked, so the Gospels become real; time away helps prayer; meeting Christians from other countries builds faith. Against: pilgrimage is not a Christian duty; many Christians grow through prayer, Bible reading and church life at home; travel is costly and not possible for everyone. A possible conclusion: pilgrimage can deepen faith for those who choose it, but it is not the best way for everyone, because faith can grow in daily life as much as in a holy place.
Exam tip
In part (b), pick three or four reasons and finish each with the effect on the pilgrim, for example "so their faith feels more real". Describing the visit alone only reaches the lower level.
Recap
- A pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place for a religious reason. For Christians it is not required.
- Pilgrimage grew from the 4th century and was very popular in the Middle Ages.
- Reasons include feeling closer to God, walking where Jesus walked, giving thanks, seeking healing or forgiveness, and meeting other Christians.
- In Bethlehem, pilgrims visit the silver star in the Church of the Nativity grotto, hold services and carols at Shepherds' Field, and gather in Manger Square on Christmas Eve.