He decided to leave Mary, his wife, in the company of a family with whom he had been talking while he made an effort to gain entrance.

When at last he reached the man in charge, he found it was just as he had feared.  The inn was full—­there was no room for them there.

In vain he urged; he told of his own line of ancestors; of the noble line from which his wife descended.  The answer was always the same:  “There is no room.”

At last he pleaded for Mary, his wife.  He told the man in charge that she was not strong, that she had come a long, long way and was very tired; and urged that some place be found for her.  He feared the results if she should be compelled to stay in the open all night.

So earnestly he pleaded his case that at last the man said, “I have no room and yet I cannot turn you away; come with me and I will find you a place in the stable.”

Joseph then found Mary and they and the ones with whom she had been tarrying went together to the stable and there made themselves comfortable for the night.

This was not at all the cross to them that it would seem to you today.  It was a very common thing indeed for people to stay in the stables when the inn was full.  And then, too, you must remember that they were descended from a long line of shepherds.  They naturally loved the animals and did not feel at all badly to sleep where they had been, or even in very close company with them.

We can imagine that it was with very thankful hearts they lay down to rest that night.

There was a company of men, asleep in the pasture lands at some little distance from Bethlehem, on the slope of the hill.  They were shepherds.  They had cared for their sheep and after that all but one of them had lain down to sleep.  It was their custom for all of the number to watch while the others slept.  They were wrapped in their great, warm shepherd’s cloaks, for the air was chilly at that season.  All at once a strange thing happened.  It began to grow very light, and the one who was watching could not understand.  He spoke to the others and they sprang to their feet.

Brighter and brighter shone the light until it was like the day, and you can imagine that the shepherds were startled.  They could not speak, so great was their astonishment; but as they drew closer together they heard a voice coming out of the light.  The voice said, “Be not afraid.  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 Saviour which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.”

And then there were with this angel, who spoke, many other angels; and they sang, praising God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

They sang it again and again until the heavens fairly rang with it.