The Ely miner., 1943-12-09
The Nativity
By
H. |. Phillips

a T THAT time: There went forth
4 \ a decree from the Caesars that
the whole world should be enrolled,
catalogued and hewn to a pattern;
that there should be a census of re-
sources and arms and PHILOSOPHERS.
And all went to be enrolled, every
one unto his own city; and Joseph
also went up from Galilee out of the
city of Nazareth into Judea, which
is called Bethlehem, because he was
of the house and family of David, to
enrolled with Mary, his espoused
wife, who was with child.
And it came to pass, that when
they were there, her days were
accomplished that she should be
delivered. And she brought forth her
first-born child. and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a
manger, because there was no room
for them at the inn.. And there was
a darkness over the inn now and
sounds of quarreling; and across the
lighted windows lunged clumsy fig
ures, shouting.
The warlords were in the inn
sumptuously quartered, lolling in fine
chairs in their stockinged feet, their
muddy boots on the beds. The Die
tators were there too. They had
taken the whole first floor months
ahead and were now believing orders
to the servants. And they could be
heard complaining that their patience
was being exhausted. Greed was in
the inn, sprawled across great bed.
Covetousness and Cupidity were
staggering about the hall, laughing
coarsely. Hatred had taken over a
double room and could be heard
snarling at Envy and Intolerance,
who claimed to have prior right
to the large chamber with double
windows.
And in the corridors of the first
floor great bully of a man slashing
about with a sword, reviling his COM
panions, and boasting of some book
he had written about conquering all
mankind and reducing those who did
not agree with him to slavery. This
man was called Conquest and he
was demanding great front suite
where he could have more breath
ing space. And nowhere within the
inn was there Love, Kindness,
Faith, Hope or Charity.
Now there were in the country
humble people with no hate in their
hearts, keeping the faith, watching
over their own and affrighted by the
horrors that were about them and
by the drone of bombers that passed
overhead blotting out the glory of
the stars; and they were weary of
ultimatums and threats and chai-
lenge and counter challenge, and
sick of heart at the corruption of
mind and spirit.
And behold an Angel of the Lord
stood over them, and the brightness
of God shone round and said, Gear
not: for behold, bring you good
tidings of great JOY that shall be to
all people: for this day is born to
you a Saviour, who is Christ the
Lord, in the city of David, and who
is the Prince of Peace, the Deliverer
of the afflicted and the Christ of love
and tolerance. And this shall be
sign unto you: you shall find the
infant wrapped in swaddling clothes,
and laid in a manger." And suddenly
there was with the Angel a multi
tude of the heavenly army, praising
God and saying, "Glory to God in
the highest, and on earth peace,
good will toward men,"
And they came with haste and
found the infant lying in the manger.
And the arrogant within the inn were
silenced; and the drone of the ships
of destruction, sweeping overhead,
was no more, neither were there
sounds of distant cannonading. To
their ears came only the breathing
of the cattle and the first cries of
the Christ Child. And they under
stood the words that had been
spoken to them.