The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-12-25
BETHLEHEM, THE CITY OF DAVID, WAS
THE FAv0R|TE ABODE Of SOLOMON
An Interesting Description of the Village Which the Savior Of
the World Was Born Translated From the French by Nun
of the Order Of St. Dominic Charming Little Place Today
After the Lapse of Nineteen Centuries

OF all the aspects of Jesus, the
most charming, the most intimate, the
most pleasing. is that which the magic
and sweet name of bethlehem" re-
calls.
The whole life of the Master is con-
tanned III few words-Bethlehem,
Nazareth, the Lake, Jerusalem. Naz-
areth signifies mystery; the Lake,
work; Jerusalem combat; and all
this together is life--the day with its
activities and labors. Bethlehem is tile
morning, it is the freshness Of the
dawn of day; it is the first smile froln
bright which establishes the soul in.
! do not know which, blue sky and fills
! 1t with perfumes like those which como
in our dreams when we dream of the
telightful home where the first man
was so happy.
! Bethlehem! There is a festive ring
to the name. 1t awakens distinct
sounds of angelic canticles and Of
the rustling of wings. AS soon as
our heart 'pronounces it our imagin-
alton associates with it the chimes
Of Christmas, and the happy impress
reason discovers in it grave teachings.
God had, then, found the propi-
tious hour in which to realize the
hope Of His peoplet He had not re-
leaders religious or political. He had
chosen, in little village. poor maid
en- by the name of Mary.
She appeared like any maiden whom
one sees today. going along the road
to the spring Of Nazareth, Mt a some-
what grave gait, clothed in the ira
of the women of the time Of Isaias--
tunic striped with many colors, blue
predominating, white veil, cincture of
a flexible cord, supporting with one
hand her filled urn, and with the other
adjusting her veil Such is what God
chose.
And to this girl scarcely fifteen
years old, while She was praying in
her obscure chamber He sent an am
bassador.
Mary was one OF those creatures
whose superior nature does not him
der them from fraternizing with the
human race for the glory of the COM
> mon Father. The angel presented
his request and the consent given, the
mystery was accomplished-Heav
had inclined itself and had filed cart!
with hope.
Several months after, the edict o1
, Tiberius was announced. A cens,,.
Of the whole country was to be takef
/. 1T was necessary to go. Joseph ths
. faithful spouse, was of the family O
: David; Bethlehem, the city Of David
!, was in consequence his city--it was
:, there that he must present himsel
3 for enrolment.
D The time was unfortunately chosen
q but-they must start.
Y 1t required four or five days o
travel. They left, equipped proba bl,
:, as one OF the groups which we M,
see today along the roads Of Pales
tine-the Virgin, on an ass, and, walk
ing by her side, st. Joseph, with
staff and upon his shoulder some p",
. visions. The route was the same on
- which they followed three times
year for the festivals-the plains o
e Esdraelon, and Jerusalem.
= Each evening they stopped at tn
caravanserals which are always ope
to travellers. This is q custom estab
- lished centuries ago, beasts and peo
. pie stop there, generally near
spring, and on the morrow continl,
y their journey. Often the pilgrim
: who thronged this thoroughfare &
e the festival times, sang the psalm
H. they directed their steps. Perhar
= the hearts Of Mary and of Joseph wer
n too full to initiate them, but If the
= lips we're silent, the "Magnificat" file
'r their spirits by the voice Of happines
- and love.
l. They reach jerusalem skirt the wal
le on the west side, traverse the plai
,r and then the hills (Which are so 500
to hear the dolorous weeping of Rache