Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1894-12-21
CHRISTMAS I'M BETHLEHEM.
Services at the Manager Where Christ Was
ROrn.

During Christmas week Bethlehem, the
birthplace of Christ, is perhaps the most
picturesque and attractive place in the
world. 1t is crowded with pilgrims from
all lands, the bulk of whom live in tents
all attracted by the desire of worshiping
at the manger where the NaZarene was
born. The services in the Church of the
Nativity are kept up during an entire
week and are most impressive. The
church is one of the oldest structures in
existence, and although it has been re-
peatedly repaired it still retains much of
its original form and character. In the
side aisles at different affairs priests
chant the service in tones that swell
and die amid the tall columns that sup
port the roof
At the shrineS groups of pilgrims kneel
in reverent alteration, while still other
groups are guided around the church by
monks. who point ont to them the rich
relics and sacred places, the most ven
Grated of all being the Shrine of the
Manger, beneath the church, which. it
is claimed. incloses the actual birthplace
of the Savior. During the Christmas fes-
tivities this manger shrine is resorted to
10y great multitudes who crowd each 9TH
er in their pious eagerness to kiss the
marble slab on the floor. with a silver
star in the center. So feryid and enthusi-
astic are these worshipers that the mar
BILE slab has been repeatedly kissed away
in places. rendering new slab necessary.
\ few feet distant from the manger is
the chapel of the magi. where the wise
men of old. Melchior. Caspar and Bal
thazar. came worshiping with rare gifts
from the East.
\ subdued. rich light is diffused
throughout the grotto by the softly glow
ing lamps over the star and the swinging
ccnserS lend an agreeable odor to an
otherwise close and musty atmosphere.
All worldly thoughts are banished as the
knceling pilgrims listen spcllbound to the
mclodious chant of the sacred office or
the full. sturdy. noble singing of the
grand-looking bearded priests. The low
roof. the diving rock" the ccnscrs the
music. the lights all seem To dissolve. and
in their stead there appears to the moist
eyes of the adoring pilgrims. the manger
cradle. with the Babe the Virgin mother
and Joseph. the mean surroundings. the
oxen and their litter of straw and the
gentle. wondering sheep.
Through the mists Of centuries there
rises UP before them the old khan. then
known as the house Chin Ham," over
which the star hung in heaven. and in a
nook Of which the Savior was born, there
being mo room at IT, inn.
These pilgrims are Il strengthening
lot. Some few wear the silk hat of West
ern civilization. but the turban and fez
predominate. Camped on the stony
ground of the hillside, among the few
scattering olive trees. gnarled and twist
ed with age. they frequently have Il time
of it fighting the fierce sun. even in
December.
As the hour for striking tents APP
proacheS the scene grows more eXcit-
ing. Arabs on camels OF horseback. with
long, Damascus guns and shot pouches;
Sore-cyed Syrian natives on donkeyS or
afoot: men and women in European
dress; Russians. long-coatcd and invari-
ably bearded: smart Germans with a
military bearing: Greek priests from the
Nolga: self-complacent English and easy
going Americans: Ill minsle in the
bright moving Kaleidoscope. Having seen
the sights. listened To the music in the
chapel and the prayers at the manger,
and paid their reyercmt homage. they
now regard their pilgrimage rs accom-
plished and are eager TO return.