f the usual stone-work of the hillside towns, and the stable,
extending backward from the house proper, is largely an excavation in
the rock. There is a narrow entrance at the side as well as one through
the house. About the gates of the inn stood a number of people, the look
upon their faces indicating that they were aware of the great news to
their race, but all silent in their joy or disbelief or whatever
sentiment affected them. The visitor was shown through the inn into the
stable. There were the man, the woman, and the Child. They chanced to be
alone at the time.

Of the Child it may be said that it is a beautiful male infant, nothing
more, to the ordinary eye, and conducting itself not differently from
any babe of its age. It clings to its mother's bosom, knowing nothing of
the world, and as yet, caring nothing. The man is a sober-faced Jew,
apparently about thirty years of age. The woman would attract attention
anywhere, for she is one of the fair women of Nazareth, and even among
those so noted for their beauty she must have ranked foremost, so sweet
of face is she. She is seemingly not yet twenty years of age, with the
dark hair, Oriental features, and wonderful eyes of the women of her
class and town, but with an added expression which makes one think of
the angels of which the Jewish writers tell. That she herself believes
she is the mother of the Messiah, that the Child she has borne is the
Christ, does not admit of doubt. Even as she clasped Him to her breast
there was awe mingled with the affection in her look, a devotion beyond
even that of motherhood. The man, it was apparent, shared with her in
the faith. He was asked to tell the story of the miraculous birth, and
stepping aside a little from the woman and the Child, he talked gravely
and earnestly, answering all questions, since, as he said, it was his
duty to tell the great thing to all the world, to Jew and pagan alike.

He was betrothed to the young woman Mary, he said, months ago, in the
town of Nazareth, in Galilee, where he is a carpenter. They were to have
been wedded, but during the interval between the betrothal and the
marriage there came to her a figure, which was that of an angel of the
Lord, saying to her that a son would be born to her the paternity of
which would be supernatural, and that this son would be the Messiah told
of in Jewish prophecy. She informed her betrothed of this, and that she
had evidence that what had been told her wo