Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-21

so far and so hard. But it will
make it, All is well, blesSedly
we'll.
Never had she known stable
was so wondrously comforting.
Just outside the entrance, Jo-
seph stood outlined against the
night. dark, steadfast sentry.
From beyond came the faint
singing of cricxets. Mary
breathed evenly. A blissful
warmth pervaded her whole
being.
Be Not Fearful
Keep going. little beetle. You
can do 1t. You clasp the hewn
stone so valiantly, searching
ahead with your tiny legs. Do
not be fearful. Our shelter here
is good and pleasant.
Mary let her eyes rove about
tie stall. The lantern flame.
sheathed in hareskin, cast a mel
low glow. She would always
cherish this quiet, secure place,
its sturdy. soiled walls.
None of this night would ever
leave her.
She had been relieved beyond
words when Joseph found this
refuge, at last, after his unavail-
ing entreaties at the inn. Good
Joseph. He had not known how
spent the journey left her. The
stable had been as welcome as
a palace.
Divine Message
And all the marveling days be-
fore. Ever since the divine
message had come that she would
bear Son, not by man. but of
God, her soul had magnified the
Lord. He chose her-a lowly
village girl-as his handmaiden!
Thou art highly favored
-" How mystifying those words
had been. That it would be she,
poor, of no rank, of humble
habit.
Hold tight. little one. Indom-
liable beetle. straining upward,
hugging the stone.
Every passing moment, every
thing around, seemed highly pre-
cious. Lying there. wrapped in
a wooden shawl, with the soft
fragrant bed of straw, Mary
could feel at moments the very
core of her life hurting toward
some poignant fulfillment, then
dissolving into pure serenity.
No More Agitation
Nothing. nothing at all. re-
manned Of the agitation in which
she had FASTENED to her cousins
house. after first learning she
would bear holy Son. Elizabeth
had understood at once. Blessed
art thou among women
In time. Joseph also under
stood. Though older, his Joy
had become as boundless as hers
as the time neared. She had
spent the days plainly-weaving
grinding grain. drying fruit-but
with a bright treasure in her
heart.
Now, in this soothing haven.
with light swaying on the raft
ers. and her good husband at
call, she drifted at intervals in
vivid heights and delicious
reverie.
Waves Of Happiness
Waves Of happiness flowed
over her like music. ebbing and
swelling. She found herself gaz-
ing mistily at the beetle again.
1t had traversed two more stones
and still struggled heroically.
Do not give up little beetle.
There is not far TO 90.
The stable. the night. the
world itself seemed to be ex-
panding around her. and the
lantern light was more alive. She
felt as II she were floating, riS-
ing. until she almost touched
the very heavens. Almost.
The rapture came back over
her again. like warm surf.
Then suddenly her eyes we're
open and she was staring di-
rectly across the room at a COW.
placidly chewing. her eyes big
and kind Mary gazed at her
fondly The COW was so friendly.
such a close companion.
Sweet night Good stable
Dear creatures OF God
Excitement Grows
Excitement was gathering in
her. gathering slowly. increas-
ing. gathering steadily and more
swiftly.
She could not hear the crickets
any more. but a stronger. greater
rhapsody was ringing out. Her
eyes we're closed. Her lips moved
rapidly In prayer. Her heart
filed until IL seemed almost
bursting
She felt lifted up. up. up in
an INFINITE design part Of the
miracle Of all creation. sharing