Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-04
IDEA OF THE NATIVITY
Jfana and Hia UtmFH
The Crowded Inn of Bethlehem
Was Probably a Corovonseroi

those which can still be seen today; hollows
Scooped out Of the earth to hold the grain
for the cattle. That complete humility
which was to be the mark of Him who
was meek and humble Of heart is already
manifest from the beginning.
Far From Original Simplicity
It could not be said that the Church Of
the Nativity today has retained that touch
ing simplicity so characterize of the
Gospel scene.
It is approached as II it were fortress
A gigantic encircling wall Is preached by
a massive tower, pierced only by loopholes
and by low entrance door. A narthex
containing some fine mosaics admits to
the basilica, one Of those 4th or Sth
century Byzantine buildings which convey
such q powerful impression Of majesty.
There are ave aisies, the piers Of red
: marble with white capitals.
This magnificent edifice, which covers the
spot where the divine mercy was made
manifest, is the battle-ground Of warning
sects.
1t was even, in 1873. the scene Of a
physical assault by the supporters Of the
Orthodox Church on the Roman Catholics.
The deep subterranean crypt below the
church Is long and narrow but 1t does not
in the least resemble ones conception Of q
manger; It does not communicate with the
exterior and can be reached only by q steep
stairway.
The alcove which is designated a. the
creche Is studded with gold and precious
stones; 1t is lined with rare marbles, jasper
h~ be ~
half hundred lamps.
ut was not among gold and silver that
Our Savior came into the world" said the
harsh old hermit st. Jerome, who lived in
q cell near by.
In the middle Of slab Of porphyry q
bright vermilion star purports to mark the
exact spot where Jesus was born.
Shepherds Spread the Word
The event which took place In the poor
grotto was not destined to remain private.
Near by were some shepherds spending the
night in the fields with their sheep, pos
sibly some of the village herdsmen who,
having driven their focks into the caves,
were taking 1t in turns to see that they
came to no harm from wild beasts or
robbers. This routine of watching the
hocks by night Is still followed In Palestine,
the cries of the watchers piercing the
darkness and the silence, sometimes alter
mating with the thin melody Of q flute. Or
perhaps they were genuine nomads who
never call in their sheep but restrain them
at night by attaching a foot to the long
heavy tail characteristic Of the Levantine
breed.
"And 10, the angel of the Lord came upon
them and the glory Of the Lord shone round
about them and they were sore afraid. And
the angel said unto them, Fear not! for,
behold, bring you tidings Of great Joy,
which shall be to all people. For unto you
is born this day in the city of David
Savior, which is Christ the Lord
And so . the shepherds said one to
another, Let us now go even into Bethle-
hem and see this thing which has come to
pass s.. and the shepherds returned,
clarifying and praising God"
And so, to the humble guardians Of the
focks, Heaven revealed what the world as
yet did not know, the coming Of Him who
was to be called the Good Shepherd
Tomorrow: The humble homes Of Nozoreth, where the
boy Jesus grew TO manhood and his mission.
tCopyriEht, 1854, by E. p. Dutton Co. Distributed
by the Register and Tribune syndicate)