The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-12-24
PILGRIMS FLOCK
To BETHLEHEM
FOR CHRISTMAS
Troubles of World Are For.
gotten; Service to Be
Broadcast.
By United Press

By United Press
BETHLEHEM, Palestine, Dec. "a.
The wars and quaTelS and eco
nomic distress of the world we're
forgotten here tonight in the su-
blime peace of another Christmas
eve.
Pilgrims from the four corners Of
the earth gathered to worship the
Prince of Peace and Savior of man
kind, who was born in a manger in
the hills because there was no
room for them at the inn"
The great influx of pilgrims
seemed to indicate the growing de-
sire for peace on earth, good will
to man." Truly, there was no room
for many of them at the inn, here
or in Jerusalem, and many found
accommodations at hotels in Tel
Aviv Oh the coast.
For the first time, millions
throughout the world who have not
been fortunate enough to make the
pilgrimage to Christ's birthplace
will hear the ceremonies in the spa
cious, raftered Church of the Ma
tivity, in the center Of which stands
the sacred grotto, built on the leg
endary spot of the manger.
Service to Be Broadcast
Wireless will carry the singing of
the choir and the ringing Of the
bells of alteration to many lands.
All day there was an amending
stream of pilgrims from Jerusalem.
In centuries past they came afoot
and on muleback. In more recent
times, tumble-doWn cars and horse
vehicles brought them along the
paths trodden through centuries into
wide roads.
Today they sped in modern BUSES
and shining motor cars along 70
wide macadam roads, wire fenced
and electrically lighted, leading
straight from Jerusalem to Beth
lehem.
Spirit Remains Unchanged
But the spirit remained the same.
The tiny hill town was crowded to-
day with pilgrims from all over the
world. They came by thousands
Abyssinian Christians, Anglo-Sax-
ons, Armenians, Roman Catholics
and innumerable other sects wor-
shipping Christ, dressed in myriad
Of colorS and costumes, and speak
ing as many languages as were
heard in the Tower o. Babel
All hoped to be admitted to the
Sacred Grotto, but it is so small
that it barely holds six people at
time, so that many of them may be
disappointed.
In the church there was hushed
rustic of activity as the pilgrims
paused momentarily before the
Grotto, knelt for brief moment Of
prayer in the time-worn peWs of
the church, and passed out into the
bright, glittering coldnesS of the
Palestinian winter.
Catch Glimpse of Grotto
Until midnight and long past it,
they will press forward for a brief
glimpse of the Grotto where the
Son of Man first saw the light of
day, lit by dim jeweled lanterns
which throw soft glow over the
ancient paintings and frescoes and
the metal star emblazoned in the
floor, reading in Latin, Here, of
Mary The Virgin, was Jesus the
Christ born"
The ceremonies start at midnight
a p m. indianapolis time). When
they are finished, the pilgrims, I'M
der the same stars that guided the
Three Wise Men, will flow back to
Jerusalem, carrying with them for
another year the ineffable peace of
mind of true worship.
In the fields around them, as they
plod the side of the road or pass
swiftly in cars, the shepherds will
be watching their flocks, just rs
they did nearly 1000 years ago
when the angels appeared and sang
of peace-a song that in this one
spot on earth seems to linger for
timeless eternity.