He stopped.  “Mother,” he said solemnly, “to-morrow is His birthday.”

A Nazareth Christmas

“Now, tell us, mother, again — as ever this night — the story of our brother’s birth.”

“Yes, dear mother, and not forgetting the star; for us no story is like this, not even the story of young King David, although in truth, that is a goodly tale.”

“Then sit, children; lend me your aid with the gifts; and now, as dark comes on, while yet your father and brother are not returned from their work, I will repeat again the oft-told story.  I see not how I can forget aught, for it seems ever before me.

“You must know it was between the wet time and the dry when your father and I went up to Judea to be enrolled.  Bethlehem was our city.  There were a great many journeying in our company to the House of Bread.  I was not strong in those days; and so your father obtained an ass for me to ride, while he walked by my side.  We traveled slowly, and the early night had already set in when we passed where Rachel rests, and reached the village.  In front of the inn at which your father intended stopping, he left my side a moment, while he went to arrange for our stay; but he straightway returned, saying there was no room for us.  So we were compelled to go farther; and it was late, — how late I know not, — before we found rest; for at every inn where your father knocked the answer was the same:  ‘No room!’ ‘No room!’ Your father bore up bravely, though he had the harder part; while, in my childishness, I was fain to kneel in the chalk-dust of the road, and seek what rest I could.  But he upheld me, until, at last, one inn-keeper, seeing what a child I was in truth took pity on me and said: 

“I am able to do no more for you than for my poor cattle; but I can give you shelter with them in the cavern stable and a bed if only straw.”

“And, children, I was very thankful for this.  I had been told before that to me a Prince should be born; that, girl as I was, as mother, should clasp in my arms a Savior-child.  I believed the words of the angel, — for was I not of the house of David? — and ever treasured them in my heart.  Now, how strange should it be that not in my peaceful Nazareth, not in this, our own home, but:  there, and that weary night of all nights, beside me on the straw should be laid my infant son!

“I knew immediately what to call him, for, as I have often told you, the angel had named him ‘Jesus.’  ‘Even so,’ the angel had said; ’for he shall save his people from their sins.’  I have wondered much what that means for your brother.”

“Watch well your work, children!  Burn not the cakes.  Fold with care the mantles and the coats.  This garment we will lay aside for patches.  It repays not labor to put new to old; and, James, test well the skins before you fill them with the wine.  We know not to whom your brother bears the gifts of his handiwork to-night, but he knows who needs them most, and naught must be lost or wasted.