The Redwood gazette., 1936-12-24
Christ Is Born

Christ Is Born >.
Christ was born last night.
While thousands who for generations
has awaited His birth slept and were un-
aware the promised Redeemer OF MANKIND
came into the world.
Not with fanfare.
Not with kingly pomp.
Not heralded by armies which so many
of His people in recent years had imagined
would accompany His coming to deliver
them from the bondage of foreign empire
and to restore to them the full glory OF
Solomon and his temple.
But humbly, with sheep and goats Tor
attendants, He was born in stable, because
there was no room in the inn of Bethlehem
Thus the words of the Prophet Micheas
were fulfilled: "And thou Bethlehem the
land of Juda art not the least among the
princes of Juda; for out of thee shall come
forth the captain that shall rule my people
of Israel"
And Mary, His mother, wrapped him IN
swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger,
because it was cold in the stable Outside
the streets of Bethlehem were silent, quiet.
All day there had been clamor IN the
streetS-for here, too, as in all the Roman
empire, people have returned to be register
ed in the city of their birth.
Merchant princes from Achzib in Galilee
and bankers from Jerusalem with their fol-
lowers and bodyguards, and beggars from
Sanaria with their lice and their rags.
All day the streets of Bethlehem re-
sounded with the rumble of wheels and the
clatter of sandaled feet.
But last night the streets were strange
ly quiet.
None of these merchants or bankers, or
even beggars knew of the birth of Christ.
They were asleep.
Word of the birth was brought to this
city last night by shepherds who had been
tending their flocks on the outskirts OF
Bethlehem.
These men brought the glad tidings,
given to them, they said, by angels who
sang: GLORY to God in the highest; and on
earth peace to men of good will"
An angel of the Lord, they said, had
appeared before them and said to them ::
"Fear not; for, behold, bring you good It'd
ngs of great joy, that shall be to all the
people.
who is Christ the Lord, in the city OF David.
"And this shall be sign to you; you
shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling
clothes, and laid in manger."
And so, the shepherds said, they left
their fiocks on the hillside and came to Beth
lehem, the city of David, to find the child.
And when they came to the inn of the
city, the boldest of them stepped up to the
door and knocked No one answered. He
knocked more loudly, and there was lumb-
ering noise on the inside, and soon the door
was opened crack and the innkeeper asked
them, angry: what is this racket? Who
are you? There are no rooms -. do you
rr1~,
''But :. :" began one of the shepherds.
'Not room"
'.But, we don't want ROOM"
"Not want a room, then why are you
knocking here? Don't you know this is an
inn?"
1--WE are looking for the Christ" very
simply.
'sThe Christi"
Eyes, we have seen His angel"
The innkeeper opened the door trifie
= wider and blinked an eye at them. Then he
reared back his head, opened his mouth and
laughed lusty shout Of laugh.
'eHo -. no hoooo, the Christ" He
caught his breath, and then shouted at them,
"And suppose you think have Him under
my roof. Ho ..ho." He ran a chubby hand
through his thinning hair.
THAT" he told the shepherds, lis the
best one I've heard since the enrolment
order. so all might be registered they
said. So none may escape the tax collector,
say :. But why do talk to you fellows?
Listen, you, when the Christ Is born
we shall know it. There will be something
to shout about, believe me :. And there will
be plenty to hear He'll be leader, do you
hear strong leader, do you-but why
do talk to you; listen, go away"
The innkeeper rubbed his hands and be-
gun to close the door.
"But we are looking for the Christ; we
have seen His angel" said one of the young
er shepherds boldly. "Has no one come this
wayY