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Show Journey From Nazareth, Birth of Christ Child A LMOST two thousand years ago the great emperor, Caesar Angus tus, sent out a decree that the whole world should be enrolled. Each one was to go to. his own city: to the place of his fathers. None were exempt from the decree. From the hill town of Nazareth two people set out in answer to .the summons. sum-mons. One, a tall, bearded figure, his shoulders sagging under the weight of years, and frnmthe continued stooping stoop-ing that his rraile as a carpenter necessitated. ne-cessitated. The other, a young and beautiful woman, her face aglow with a strange, sweet serenity. Their names were Joseph and Mary, and they were going to the distant town of Bethlehem, Bethle-hem, because they were of the house of David. The man walked patiently beside the plodding donkey on which the woman was seated. They showed no Impatience Impa-tience as others passed them by ; nor did they loin with any of their fellow travelers in venting anger against Caesar for taking them on such a long and .tiresome Journey. Perhaps because of Joseph's age, or of Mary's delicate condition,, they were among the last to enter . Bethlehem, and to seel; a shelter at the inn. . They were told that there was no room for them there. Their humble appearance made no appeal to the Innkeeper on a night when more prosperous . looking guests were crowding the doors. Disappointed and fearful, they sought further. But they could find no place. Some one spoke of a cave outside out-side the town. Joseph looked at Mary and his eyes filled with tears. But she nodded assent . . . And in that lowly place, warmed only by the breath of oxen, Jesus, the hope and promise of all mankind, was born Into the world ! Katherine Edelman. ' . Western Newspaper Union. |
