orchards. And there is Bethlehem, its gray stone houses clustered thick together on a hill beyond the valley. The rich gardens and orchards about it give it its name, which means "the house of bread."

If we turn more to the east we look out over the barren hills of the wilderness of Judæa, the deserts where John the Baptist lived. In summer they are very dry and bare, but with the winter rains many little flowering plants spring up which give pasturage to flocks of sheep. Looking over the town, we see a part of the wilderness where the mountains

Looking towards Bethlehem from Jerusalem.

are high, with deep gorges between leading down to the Dead Sea. Through one deep valley we see the water; and the mountains on its eastern shore stand as a long purple wall against the sky.

Bethlehem was David's home; here are the pasture hills where he tended his father's sheep, and where, as he watched through the long nights, he learned how "the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."

We are to read of a time when many people of the family of David were coming back again to the town of their forefather, that a list might be made of all their names. The

Roman emperor had commanded this in all the countries under his power, as a help in gathering taxes and soldiers for his army. An inn where travellers find shelter is called in that country a khan. The inn in Bethlehem was perhaps only an open yard with a high stone wall about it, with arched recesses around the sides for shelter. So many people came that the khan was filled and there was no room for more.

Among those who travelled by this way from the north were Mary and Joseph. They had come a journey of several days from Nazareth, the little town of Galilee where they lived, to be enrolled, for they were of the family of David.

Bethlehem, from the north. The church with pitched roof, near left of picture, stands over the cave of the Nativity.

They were drawing near to Bethlehem. They came down this very hill-side where we stand and crossed the valley to the town. But the khan was full. They turned aside, and it has been believed from very long ago that they found rest in a cave in the hill-side, where animals were sheltered. There are many such caves in the hills about Bethlehem, and they are often used as sheepfolds, and stables, and even as houses. We can go to-day by steps down into the cave, and forgetting all that has been done to change the place, we seem to see it as it was that night when Mary and Joseph came, a plain, rude cave. Here the Lord was born, and His mother wrapped Him in soft bands of cloth and laid

Him in a manger, one of the little feeding-boxes from which the animals took their food.

As we stand here and remember the night long ago, we think of the heavenly light and heavenly voices in the pastures not far away, where shepherds were keeping watch over their flock. It is almost as if the shepherds were with us in the cave and we heard from them the angels' message, and bowed with them about the manger, feeling something of the wonderful holiness which the Lord brought into the world. But it is better to read the story.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,

into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And

(Hofmann: B. Benda, Lausanne; Wm. H. Rau, Phila.) The birth of Jesus.

the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,