The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1874-12-20
Bethlehem

Bethlehem where was born the Redeemer
Of the world, is one of the holiest spots of
earth, and to it the thoughts of the Chris
tian turn with constant delight. The
events in the life of our Lord which give to
Jerusalem it's supreme interest are mostly
of saddening character, bringing to re-
collection the sufferings of Jesus for the
salvation of his people and, wherever we
turn in the city of the Great King, we are
reminded of the Man of Sorrows, and the
contradiction of sinners which he endured.
But Bethlehem has other associations; and
the pilgrim to- the sacred shrines can here
pour out his soul in joyful gratitude and
love, for he is where Gods infinite mercy
was made evident to Jew and Gentle, and
the Saviour of the world was first seen by
those he came to redeem.
Bethlehem is one of the Oldest cities in
the world, having history of more than
three thousand six hundred years. The
name signitied the House of Bread now
its Arabic form, Belt Lahm, denotes the
House of Flesh. Either name is suitable
for the place in which the true bread of life
whose flesh is the food of Immortality, was
to be born. 1t is called Bethlehem j Judah,
to distinguish it from another Bethlehem
in the region of Zebulun; it is also called
Bethlehem Ephratah, or the fruitful.
For a thousand years it's history is OBJ
scure, until the place starts into promin-
ence and immortal glory as the scene of
the wondrous events attending the birth
of Christ. With this narrative every
Christian is familiar and each year under
the guidance of the church, we renew, at
Christmas and Epiphany. the joy which it's
telling brings.
There are about three thousands resi-
dents in the city, who are all, or nearly SO,
Christians. The streets are few, and like
all Eastern cities, narrow and dirty-very
narrow aud very dirty, indeed. Many of
the people are out of doors. AS we pass
along, we. see some small, rude shops or
dens, in which various articles are exposed
for sale. We look in other rooms, and find
men at work sitting on the ground, turning
beads for rosaries. The work is done ra-
pidly, and great quantities of these are
made. Also, crosses and medals are carv-
ed from the mother of pearl she'll. AS
every one who goes to the HOLY Land
make some purchases of these articles,
there is quite brisk trade at Easter time
when the pilgrims most resort to the shrines,
These beads, medals, and crosses are taken
to Jerusalem and blessed in the most Holy
Sepujchre of our Lord, and are thus in just
estimation among. the holy things of earth.
cross made in Bethlehem, where Christ
was born, and blessed in the most Holy
Sepuichre where he was buried, and from
which he rose triumphant over death, is
surely precious thing for any Christian to
nave. The scraps of pearls which are left
IN the manufacture of crosses and medals,
and have been thrown out as refuse, sparkle
and glisten in the bright sunshine, remind
ing one of the city above, whose gates are
pearl: But the place where Christ was
oorn is SO holy that not even pearls are too
precious to pave its streets.
/, The grotto or cave in which Christ was
|oOrn y covered BY . large church. Ofthis