tle Christ-child who was born in Bethlehem, and the first
Christmas."

So Margaret cuddled up in her mamma's lap, and Harold sat at her feet,
and she began.

THE STORY OF THE FIRST CHRISTMAS.

"Once upon a time, there was a little town called Bethlehem of Judea,
and late one afternoon in winter, a man named Joseph, and his wife
named Mary, came to this {246} town. They were very glad to reach the
village, for they were cold and hungry. But they were disappointed. No
one would take them in. There is an old song which tells about it:--

"'O, dark was the night,
And cold blew the wind,
But Joseph and Mary
No shelter could find.

"'In all the fair city
Of Bethlehem,
In cottage or inn,
Was no room for them.'"

"Wouldn't anyone let them in?" said Margaret.

"No," said mamma. "They went to the inn, or hotel, of Bethlehem, and
the keeper of the inn said, 'No room for you here, go away.' They went
to each one of the houses, and the people who lived in them said
crossly, 'No room for you here, go away.'"

"I would have let them in if I had been there," said Harold,
earnestly.

"I would, too," said Margaret. "Were they very cold, dear mamma?"

"Yes, my dears," said mamma, smiling, "I know that you would have been
kind to them. But you see this was before Jesus had taught people to
be good and kind to others. Well, they were very cold and very sad,
but at last the keeper of the inn let them go into his stable, and
there were oxen there, and hay, and stalls for the cattle, and
mangers."

{247}{248}

[Illustration]
BETHLEHEM AT SUNSET

From a photograph taken by Mrs. Frank L. Goodspeed, and used by her
kind permission.

This beautiful picture of Bethlehem was taken just at sunset, with a
cloud effect unusual in Eastern skies. "So must the little town have
looked when Joseph and Mary, weary from their long journey,
approached it. The short winter's day was probably closing in as the
two travelers from Nazareth neared their journey's end. The way had
been long and weary. A sense of rest and peace must almost
unconsciously have crept over the travelers when at last they
reached the rich fields that surrounded the ancient 'House of
Bread,' and, passing through the valley, which, like an
amphitheater, sweeps up to the twain heights along which Bethlehem
stretches, ascended through the terraced vineyards and
gardens."--_Edersheim_
[End illustration]

{249}