The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1896-12-26
WHEN THE STAR SHONE.
Twas the Signal for Bethlchem's
First Christmas.

Twas the Signal for Bethlchem's
First Christmas.
Two thousand years ago, less four,
witnessed one of the most remarkable
epocbs ever known to secular history,
and tho most remarkable period OF
which spiritual man has ever con-
ceivel From tho secular standpoint
these are the conditions: The mighty
empire Of Rome, which had as its cen
ter the single city standing on the
!libsr, had planned for years the con-
quest Of the earth, and Of this time
had SO far succeeded that she sat
among her seven hills practically mis-
tress OF the world. The adventurous
Julius Cesar had lived his day and
passed away, and in his place sat Au-
gustus, patron q the arts, and gifted
with AL executive capacity vol suited
to control the empire which had been
created. From Rome, as ii voritable
hub, spokes Of grnnito roads, built to
convey armies, radiated to quell any
insurrection that might threaten the
welfare of the imperial domain.
Each department Of the Government
was organized and directed by the
Emperor himself, and this is import
ant because it was by tho decree of
Augustus himself that the prophets
words were verified and the Christ
born in the town OF David. The cir-
cu1nstences were those: By al official
order census of the territory OF Pal
estire was called for, and to that end
from every part of the province the
inhabitants betook themselves. accord.
ing to the Jewish custom. to the town
from which they claimed their origin.
From Nazareth in the north to
Bethlehem in the south was long
journey, eighty miles over wintry
roads and up and down the hills Of
the rolling country. But Joseph. who
was as good subject as he YVES He
brew, obeyed the command and start
ed for the city Of David at the bid
ding. The first stop was probably ut
tho house of Chimham at Beeroth,
which is fifteen miles from Nazareth,
where, 1000 years before, Ruth cleaned
for Boaz and wheys Jesse and David
had rested. Toe remainder of tho
Journey was made by easy stages, tho
humble couple stopping to rest at
such quarters as their means could
afford.
They arrived in Bethlehem in the
afternoon and found the little city
crowded with host OF people bound
on mission similar to their own.
Every csravansary was filled. The
very streets we're thronged with peo.
pie seeking accommodation, and after
repeated efforts to obtain quarters in
tho city proper, which numbered at
that time only about 5000 inhabitants,
and WAC, therefore, unprepared
Tor any emergency of this sort, the
footsoro wanderers struck out into the
country. After travelling about milo
they found the littles khan, which is
now known as the ''Chepel OF the
Nativity" and where q silver star set
in white metel, with sixteen ever
burning lamps, commentaries the
mightiest fact in tho story of the
human race. The motto which these
lamps illuminate reads: "Hic Go viz
gine Maria Jesus Christus natus est"
The little inn which WAS thus des-
tined to be famous over the round
world wss set in o hollow over which
waved the branches OF "a olive grove.
1t was built around court whose
open sides, cut in the limestone rock,
were designed for the stablipg of
horses and cattle which belonged to
the guests WHO pstronized the estab.
iishment. The rooms in that tavern
were all bespoken, and the sole place
of shelter lett to tue travellers was ono
Of these cell.iike apartments, in which
there was neither couch, table nor
ohnir. 49,.
It WAS understood that any guests
who would accept these lowly quarters
should provide their OWL hit OF carpet
as protection against the damp and
would be content and satisfied with
the bundle of straw which served rs a
bed. These were the surroundings OF
the Virgin Mother on the night OF the
advent of the Son Of Col.