The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1904-12-29
Christmas In The Town OF Bethlehem.
(Contributed.)

Christmas In The Town Of Bethlehem.
(Contributed.)
The Christmas pilgrim to Bethle-
hem who has ever read these lines is
sure to recall them because they so
perfectly reflect the spirit of the place
Of the nativity. The little town of
Bethlehem presents to the twentieth
century visitor much the same appear
ance that it had 1900 years ago. 1t
lies on the ridge Of a hill, oval ia
shape, and terraced from top to bot
tom. the lower terraces being cultivat-
ed while above are the houses that
form the town.
The streets or lanes wind in and
out among the houses and along the
terraces In bewIldering confusion.
The houses are built of stone and mud
with low, fiat roofs, duplicating the
style that prevailed in the time of Je-
sus. Knowing this. the visitor is pos
sessed by a sense Of the TACT that he
is looking upon the same sights that
Mary and Joseph looked upon as they
made their way here nearly 1000
years ago.
The magnificent basilica of ST. Hell
ena is the most impressive building In
the town. This was erected by the
mother of Constantine the Great, In
the fourth century, and its four rows
Of II pillars. its choir decorated with
the mosaics of the Birth, its swinging
lamps Of gold and its general impress
sion Of venerableness and scanctity
are not lost upon the least pious visit
or.
At each side of the alter are steps
leading down to the Grottc of the Ma
tivity, over which it is built. The
Grotto is about 40 feet long, II feet
wide and 19 feet high. The walls are
hung with red and gold brocades and
decorated with biblical paintings in
oils. Here the most impressive part
of the Christmas celebrations at Beth
lehem take place.
The pilgrim is unfortunate II he
finds lodging with the ho~spitable
monks of St. Francis, in charge OF
the church. Their hospitality is sore
ly taxed at this season, but they re-
ceive guests to full limit of their &C.
Communications and in spite of the
restrictions and contentious Of which
they are the victims. For in the
birthplace of Him whose message was
speace on earth" there is no peace.
Our first surprise came when we
found that no services were to be held
In the basilica itself; that was to be
occupied by the Greek Christians,
whose Christmas day is nearly two
weeks later than that celebrated by
the Latins. Even the Grotto OF the
Nativity is divided, only between the
Greeks and Armenians. The Latins
are allowed every limited privileges
there. though they have been per-
mitted to erect the chancel and alter
of their church, which connects with
the basilica Immediately over the
crypt. The apses Of the church are
divided between the various Catholic
bodies. Protestants have no rights
whatever, save that OF entrance.
Here in the Latin church, which is
almost a part of st. Helena, the
Christmas services begin at 10 O'Clock
on Chrittmas eve, opening with
chanting of the psalms, without any
instrumental accommaniment. The
Patriarch of Jerusalem usually ocicia-
ties at this service. although his place
is sometimes taken by a Ls.tin bishop.
The interior of the church is ex'
tremely picturesque. Only a few
seats are provided, and those are oc'
cupied by the foreign visitors. Most
of the congregation is composed OF
BethIamite women wearing bright
blue dresses with red fronts, the mar
ried moEaen having on their heads