to the city of his nativity, there to be numbered and taxed.  Joseph the carpenter, although a resident of Nazareth, was of the house of David, and hence must go to the city of David to be numbered and taxed.  Naturally his espoused virgin would accompany him to that city.  She likewise was of the house of David through another line—­another reason why she should go there.  But above all, the Lord directed them there because it was a part of his arrangement.

[139]At that time there were no means of easy and rapid transit.  It was a long journey, a tedious and tiresome one.  Joseph, with his espoused seated upon an ass, journeyed through the hills along the Jordan probably for three days, and late in the evening reached the city of Bethlehem.  The city was crowded; the private homes were full; all the hotels, inns, and other places were crowded out.  Tired, worn, and weary from their long journey, they were jostled by the crowd in the narrow streets of the city.  Applying to various places for lodging, at each place they were turned away; until finally they found a location where they could sleep in a stall with the cattle.  And they retired for the night’s repose.

[140]Over the brow of the hill, in the field once owned by Boaz and gleaned by the beautiful Ruth, the faithful shepherds were watching their sheep.  According to custom, they had four watches during the night.  Some would watch while the others slept.

[141]The earthly stage is now set.  But behold that there was no great earthly splendor or show!  In truth the condition of poverty of Joseph and his espoused, and the like poor condition of the shepherds who were now shortly to be used of the Lord, was the only fitting way that we should expect the Lord would have it.  All the pomp and glory of earthly preparation would have been but tawdry tinsel, detracting from the glorious things that were shortly to follow.  Each one of the earthly players whom Jehovah had assigned to perform a part upon this stage was humble, meek, and possessed of faith in the promises of God.  In heaven there was a host of angels that should participate in the great drama; and all the hosts of heaven were witnesses to this unparalleled and never-again-to-be-performed event.

[142]On earth it was night, picturing the fact that the whole world was lying in darkness and a great light was coming into the earth.  The time had now arrived for the birth of the mighty One, and all the heavenly hosts were awake to the importance of the hour.  Doubtless while others slept, Mary was pondering in her heart the great events that had taken place during the few months past; and while she thus meditated there in the silence of that night, without pain and without suffering there was born to her Jesus, the Savior of the world.  And the shepherds watching their sheep in the field were attracted by the angel of the Lord, who 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, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Which is Christ the Lord.”—­Luke 2:8-11.