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Show The I First Christmas :: T ' ' v fcq Tlannte J. Knoch, w in tha LUisconsin Farmer 4MMMMMMMMMMMM-' "Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! . Clanprs the heavy, deep-toned bell. And all the world gives back the answer! Christ is bo-n, and all is well." "YEE nineteen hundred years ago ' there lived In the little town of Nazareth a humble carpenter and his wife, Mary. At this time the ruler of the Roman empire, Augustus Caesar, required all persons to pay taxes for the upkeep of the kingdom. Joseph was a descendant de-scendant of King David. Although he was living In Galilee, the law required re-quired him to go to Bethlehem In Ju-dea Ju-dea to pay his taxes. - When It was time to pny the tribute, trib-ute, Joseph took Mary with him on the Journey to Bethlehem. It was a tiresome journey. They were very weary when they reached the little town. Joseph went to the hotel to get a room where they could rest. But poor Joseph was disappointed, for so many other people had come to tho little town that .day the rooms were all taken. No doubt Joseph and Mary felt lonely and discouraged as night came on. At last they went to a stable to find a place to sleep. Here in a manger the Savior of the World was born. This was a very lowly place indeed' for the Prince of Peace to be born. Prophets had been foretelling bis coming com-ing for many years. People were expecting ex-pecting him to come, but in some very grand way. Some thought he would make the kings leave their thrones and himself be the ruler. But he came as a sweet, dear little babe. Now, you wonder how the people heard of his birth, in those long, long ago days when there were no telegraphs tele-graphs or telephones? Perhaps you think so Important news as this would be announced publicly by the highest officials or the ricliett people in town and a holiday declared. But not so. The first news of his birth was told to people engaged in a very humble and lowly work. Methlnks it must have been a beautiful beau-tiful warm night. Far out on the hills of old Judea the shepherds were herding herd-ing their sheep. No doubt they were " talking together about the big crowd in Bethlehem that evening. Suddenly there appeared m the sky a bright light. The shepherds were afraid. An angel spoke to them and said, "Be not afraid; I bring you good tidings ef great joy which shall be to all people." Then he told them that Jesus had been born in Bethlehem ; that they would find him, a babe, wrapped ia swaddling clothes lying in a manger with his mother, Mary. Suddenly there appeared with the angel a host of other angels singing, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will to men." After the angels were gone the shepherds shep-herds talked over the wondrous news. Then they hurried away to Bethlehem to see if it was true. Sure 'enough there were ilary and Joseph and tti little babe, Jesus. They then wout out to tell others. God also told the news of his gift to the world by placing a new star in the sky. The wise men saw it nnd followed its shining rays until thev too, found the "Babe of Bethlehem.'' These wise men worshiped him and gave him gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense. This was the first Christmas. |