The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-12-21
The First Christmas.
FrOm Ben Hur,'' by Lew Wallace,

(From ben Hur," by Lew Wailace)
While they talked, and before the first
watch was over, one by one the shep-
herds went to sleep, each lying where he
had sat.
The night, IKE most nights Of the winter
season, in the hill country. was clear. crisp
and sparkling with stars. There was no
wind. The atmosphere seemed never so
pure, and the stiffness was more tnan ST.
lence; it was holy hush. a warning that
heaven was STOPPING low TO whisper some
good thing to the listening earth
BY the gate, hugging his mantel close,
the watchman walked; at times he stopped
attracted by a stir among the sleeping
herds, or by jackal's cry OF on the noun
tain side. The midnight was slow coming
to him, but at last it came His task was
done; now for the dreamless sleep with
which labor blesses its children; he moved
toward the fire. but paused; light was
breaking around him, soft and white. like
the moon. He waited breathlessly. The
light deepened; things before visible came
TO view; he saw the whole field, and all
it sheltered. A chill, sharper than that OF
the frosty ARA chill of fear-smote him.
He looked up; the stars were gone; the
light was dropping as from a window in
Then, in terror, he cried: Awake, awake"
Up sprang the dogs and, howling, ran
away.
The herds rushed together, bewildered.
The men clambered to their feet weapons
in hand.
What is it?" they asked in one voice.
See cried the watchman, The sky is
on fire.
Suddenly the light became intolerably
bright, and they covered their eyes, and
dropped on their knees; then, as their souls
shrank from fear, they fell upon their
faces. blind and fainting. and would have
died had not a voice said TO them:
Fear not
And they listened.
Fear not; for behold. bring you good
tidings of great joy. which shall be to
all people"
The voice, in sweetness and soothing
more than human, and low and clear. pene-
trated all their being and filed them with
assurance. They rose upon their knees,
and looking worshipfully, .beheid in the
center OF a great glory the appearance -
a man, clad in a robe intensely white;
above his shoulders lowered the tops OF
wings shining and folded; a star over his
forehead clothed with steady luster, brill
liant as Hesperus; the hands were stretch
ed toward them in blessing; the face was
serene and divinely beautiful.
They had often heard, and in their simple
way talked, of angels; and they doubted
not now, but said in their hearts. 1.-The
glory of God is about us, and this is He
who of old came to the prophet by the
River of .Ulai''
Directly the angel continued:
For unto you is born this day, IN the
City of David, Savior. which is Christ
the Lord"
Again there was a rest, while the words
sank deep into their minds.
And this shall be sign unto you" the
annunciator said next. "Ye shall find the
babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying
in the manger.''
The herald spoke not again; his good It'd
ings were told. Yet he stayed awhile. Sud
denly the light, of which he seemed the GEN.
ter, turned roseate and began to tremble
looking for the Christ. Now He is born
and the Lord has given us a sign by
which to know Him. Let us go up and
worship Him."
But the flocks?'
1.-THE Lord will take care af them. Lei
us make haste"
Then they all arose and left the masah.