I found this Times Online article intriguing.  Regardless of the historic facts, the image of Bethlehem, Judaea,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

as the birthplace of the Savior has been so firmly fixed in the public mind that I doubt it could ever be dislodged.  But from a purely intellectual, writerly perspective the question of whether the Christ Child was born in some Bethlehem besides that in Judaea is fascinating.  There are always strong reasons for the traditions surounding any significant individual’s birth, and they are usually filled to the bursting with writer muse material.