The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-12-28
CHRISTMAS EVE IN BETHLEHEM
BY FRANCES H. CAMERON BURNETT.

az AoDL Z SAA
place. at one end Of which stands
the Church of the Nativity. marking
the Lowry, lowly birthplace. There is
only one entrance from h street, ans!
it is so low that in entering one fs
forced to bow the head, and assume
q posture OF reverence. / am not a
Romarist. but the need OF some bodily
preparation or publication makes it
self felt. Almost involuntari!y | make
the sign of the cross above my neaIt
as a prayer trelnbles across my lips.
When once l raise my eyes, [ feel the
laSileS wet.
The ceiling is lofty, the walls white
washed and bare, While the ancient
dark beams and raflcrs add 10 the
air of extreme sim p liCity There are
long rows OF marble pillars once
adorned with paintings, that are All
but faded now; and OF the once gilt
tering Mosaics of the clerestory, only
fragments remain. Coming into the
choir and apse, the scene is suddenly
changed. There are numerous affairs
OF divers ownership, under 4 constant
and jealous guardianship OF Latin.
Greek and Armenian. Over these Va
rious claims there has been much and
bitter dissension: blood has been spill
ed more than once. In tact, as all
the world knows. the Crinlean Wal
began with 4 mob riot in the Church
of the Nativity-sacrilege Of sacrileges
and here was born the Prince Of
Peace.
Down the dark and winding stairs
81 'ppery with the drippings Of count
less candles. l make nay way to that
lowly place into which first came the
LIGHT Of the World. The Grotto Of the
Nativity is 3 cavern beneath the
church, long, narrow, and low-celled
with pendant lamps Of precious metal
and rare workmanship lighting the
gloom. The floor is marble, and wOl-
derful old tapestries, pictures. and silk
hangings cover the walls. A marble
cradle in one corner commentaries
the manager and in a recess on one
side, a dozen or more hanging lamps
are ranged around in a half circle.
Before the altar there, all men bend
low and kiss the ground for Christ's
sake: for it is here q silver star Is
set to mark the birthplace OF Him
whom his mother called Jesus" The
centre of the star is glass. and through
it one way see the original rocky floor
OF the stable. To the north Of the
Grotto underneath the floor one may
also see the ave In which ST. Jerome
spent manv peaceful years translate
ing the Bible into Latin.
The effect of the whole is impress
sive. but in an unfamiliar way. l
am conscious Of q feeling that is al
most resentment against the lamps
>AAA'A %AlNs90 - oAAtA lbi0 bts osC ~Ioois
they seem to level to the ~cheapness
Of earthly riches a spot that of all
places on earth. should hav been al
lowed to remain TRANQUILITY humbl
and dimiy sacred-true to the charac
ter of its holy t~ranscendent
close my eyes for a moment, while
mind and heart rebel gains the
Present, until it v~aniShes: and the at
mOsDhere of the past. in all it's deer,
and wondrOus mystery. returns to en-
velOpe my soul. L am herein Beth
lehen'|I whisper to myself-and
beyond closed lids I see the Virgin
mother, with her gentle face as the
cid masters loved to picture her. and
a light that never was on land or
sea in her beautiful motler-eyes:
While the Glory from one low-hang-
i star touches q Baoys hair. The
fragrant scent OF new hay is in my
nostrils, / hear the soft breathing of
nearby cattle; and above the murrnur
OF pil"rim'E Y the voice of the
Ma"i is saying. "Lo! We have seer
His star in the East and are come
to worship Him"
IT is Christmas Day and the world
over the little children are singing the
story Of the Shepherds in the fields:
and my thoughts are with the Wonder
tut hour just passed, when I stood in
those same fields OF Judea and watch
ed h dawn brighten slowly over it's
'silver-Inantled plains"
1 fingered long, after others slept.
watching the star above the City OF
David-Wondering just where among
their millions shone the light OF the
Star of the East. Less than a mile
away lay the Church Of the Nativity
and it must have been just above me
hat the angels sang
GLORY to God in the highest;
And on earth Peace, Goodwill toward
Men"
Never shall ! forget the spell OF
that hour, and the deeper mood %,
it's Invocation must ~henceforth be &
part Of ny life. AS in q vision [ was
permitted TO glimpse the Eternal Or
der, and to know that though tho
near fOraground is tcrn and Surayipo