The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-01-04

"where the Roman census was taken.
The town was thronged with other
travellers who had come upon the same
errand, and either because they had
iourneyed slowly and arrived late, or
because all the rooms were reserved
for guests who could pay greater
price, this peasant husband and wife
were unable to obtain lodging at the
inn. 1t also appears that, although
it had been the home of their ances-
tors, they had no acquaintance in the
city whose hospitality they might
share. Accordingly, as the only al
tentative to spending the night be-
meath the open sky, they sought
shelter in some unoccupied corner OF
the stable. There their child was
born; entering thus upon career
which, beginning in manger, and
ending upon the cross, was fraught
from first to last with unrequited SER
vice and unmerited hardship.
I do not know that all the circum-
stances attending the birth and in
fancy of Jesus occurred exactly as
they are recorded in the Gospel mar
rative. Indeed, it is seldom that we
can be assured of the literal truth of
all the traditions which relate to the
early and obscure years OF anyone
who afterward achieved fame. This
much, however, is evident that, even
as an allegory, the story fifty symbol
ICES the pathetic contrast between the
mission and the fortunes of him
whose experience was supreme ex-
ample of the worlds inhospitality
to those of it's benefactors who minis
ter to needs of which as yet it is not
conscious. In other words, however
it may have Jared with him in his in
fancy, and when as yet he had estab-
lished no other claim to the worlds
kindness than that which weakness
always has upon strength and need
upon abundance, it is certain that
Jesus received scant welcome at the
beginning of his public ministry, and
that from first to last those among
whom and for whom his work was
done, had but a small appreciation OF
it's value. "He was in the world and
the world knew him not; he came
unto his own, and his own received
him not" Such is the essential truth
which the story of the crowded inn,
the stable birth, and the manager era
dle-whether it be fact or allegory-
plainly teaches. Let us conclude that
it did happen just as it is told, and
that it was ominous Of what should
afterward befall him.
Another truth which our text taken
in connection with the other incidents
of the story pictures, is that of the
different aspects which an event may
wear according to the point of view
from which it is regarded. The Beth
lehem, inn which could not spare
birthplace for him who was destined
to be the worlds Saviour, had ample
room for the magistrate, the priest,
the merchant and the tax gatherer.
These and their families were cordi-
ally received, and their slightest
wants attended to. Nor is it probable
that any one of all that company be-
slowed more than passing thought
upon rumor which reached them in
the morning that during the night
child had been born to the humble
parents whom the inn keeper had
turned from his door, and for whom
the kindness of servants had secured
a lodging in the stable. But we are
told that, while it was impossible for
the people in whose midst it happen
ed to perceive the import of this
seeminglytrivial event, the angels fore
saw its Unreasonable influence upon
the worlds destiny. Therefore, while
the doors of the inn remained closed,
and those who should have been
watchers slept, the portals of heaven
were opened, and the shining ones,
lowering in benediction above that
sacred spot, sang their anthem of
"Glory to God in the highest; and on
earth peace and goodwill toward
men,"
All! how imagination delights in
picturing the scene. How the heart
thrills with love and rapture unutter-
able often as the return of the Christ
mas festival renews our interest in the
story that can never lose it's charm
while childhood, clasping at once
Gods hand and our own, unites the
worlds of earth and heaven. That
humble place where sheep and oxen
were stabbed, aglow with a splendor
such as never shone in royal palace!
Celestial messengers ministering to
the needs that had failed to awaken
human nitvl Archan0els waiting at