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.

For a while after the beautiful song had died away and the light had
failed, the shepherds stood with bowed heads. Then each one gathered
his cloak around