Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-20

IVY N1OOS lily IOQ!
Walk slowly, oh Joseph, In
and sorrow burning your bones
as on q hearth. Search the heart.
There are things which seem
right to q man, but the end
therefore are ways Of death.
"Oh God. the very waves of
the sea rage in me, foaming
out their shame"
He stopped beside q tree and
put his hands over his face. His
body shook. How lovely she
seemed. how fair. But the splen-
dor has turned to ashes, the
rubies to clay.
Strikes BoIe Of Tree
With his fist, Joseph struck
the bole of the tree. He turned
his drawn face upward, his eyes
pinched shut with beseeching.
"Oh Lord, give light to thy SER
want whose spirit is bitter unto
DEATH"
How tenderly he had cherished
his betrothed, his Mary. Her
pledge to him, at his greater
age, had been like q healing
touch. But the image was fallen
and crumbled. His Mary was
with child!
Walk slowly, oh Joseph, and
mediate your duty. The air IL
cool and dark. Tread carefully
this inner abyss. Judge well your
steps.
And what does man dor Why.
put her away, speedily Disown
her and make void the betrothal.
Leave Mary to disgrace and
grief. Sit in Judgment on his new
life, and ordain condemnation
Left in Haste
Their vows, in that day. were
like unto a marriage. and the
betrothed might be together and
bear children properly. but they
had not. Three months ago. she
left Nazareth in haste to be with
her cousin. Elizabeth.
On her return, he knew.
Walk slowly, oh Joseph. Think
well, Beareth all things, hopeth
all things, endureth all things
Bind mercy and love about you
The air is cool. Joseph, and
dark. Sleep well. The fever leaves
your brow.
Comes In the Night
In the night, 1t came, dream
like, sure wisdom. Joseph, sor
Of David. fear not to take unto
thee Mary for thy wife. for that
which is conceived Of her is Of
the Holy Ghost. and she shall
bring forth a Son Jesus"
with great gladness. he rose
from his bed. and took Mary
as his wife. and her time drew
nigh, and sweetness as a song
was in his house.
When the emperor's decree
went out for the census, he die
not leave her alone. but took
her with him. And the dust Of
the road. Of the 81 miles, die
not Cypress them. and she rode
on the burro smiling at hei
Joseph.
Child Is Born
No. there was no room in the
Bethlehem inn, but there wal
hay in the stone stable. the
warmth Of beasts. and bright
stars looked in. So the Child wa!
born.
When the Boy was 8 days old
he was circumcised, and giver
the name. "Yeshua." or Jesus
which means the Salvation o.
God"
After 40 days. they took thu
Child the FIVE miles TO Jersua.
lem TO offer him TO the Lore
at the temple, as was the law
A devout old man. Simeon. be-
ing in the temple. had believed
he would see Christ before h,
died. and he picked UP the Chile
and said:
Lord. now let thy seryan
depart in peace. for mine eye
have seen salvation"
A Strange Thing
There is wetness in your eyes
Joseph. and Mary's. too. Their
old Simeon said a strange thing
Behold. this Child is set To-
the fall and rising again. Yea
q sword shall pierce thy owl
soul also. that the thoughts o
many hearts may be revealed.
But be not troubled. Joseph
SUFFICIENT now Is this, thy beau
tiful Son. given Of God. and this
thy Mary. radiant beside you
grading Him In her arms. Al
things In their fullness await
the unfolding OF the Lord.
30 they returned 70 their hous'
and The Child rev n their loyI