Where Christ was born

Title

Language

English

Year

1935

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

Deaml1cr, 1.935 THE YOUNG CITIZEN ) I) Wl-IERE Cl-IRIST WAS BORN A CHRISTMAS DAY approaches. the minds and hearts of Christians all over the world are turned to that mysterious town of Bethlehem in Palestine where Jesus Christ was born about one thousand nine hundred and thirty-five years ago. During that time, Palestine was a Roman province when Augustus Caesar wa:> emperor and the local king was By FRANCISCO CARBALLO * Most of the houses arc built of rough-hewn stones and arc plastered to give the walls an appearance of solidity. The roofs ac flat and these serve as roof gardens where members of the fam~ly gather to enjoy the cool J udean air during the summer evenings. The one storeycd houses, in general appearance reseffible those found in th..' Batanes Islands with the difference ing of the British. under whos~ mandate the Holy Land is governed, institutions and implements of western civilization, such as improved roads. schools, hospitals, automobiles, sewing machines, electricity. and the like, have been· introduced in the country. Pilgrims may now visit Bethlehem leisurely in automo· biles and autobuses which run the ten-kilometer distance from Jerusalem in short time. With these innovations however. most of the Bethlehcmites still cling to the modes of dress and traditions of their forefathers. The chief center of interest in Bethlehem is, ·of course, the Church of the Nativity which is built on the spot claimed to be the place of the stable where Jesus was born in a manger. Herc thousands of pilgrims from all parts of the world gather to worship, visit the places connected with the Nativity and the life 0t Herod. · that the roofs of the latter arc cov- Christ. and take home with them Bethlehem is from the Hebrew cred with grass thatching. souvenirs of the Holy Land. Beit Lahm which means 'house of Most streets are . narrow anJ Bethlehem is sometimes called bread.' This name has been ap- winding, and people go about on the City of David for it was also propriatcly given to the place for foot or ride on the backs of don- the birthplace of that shepherd king Bethlehem was and still is the wheat keys or camels. Products for local who killed the boastful giant Golgranary of the surrounding country consumption are still brought in by iath of the Philistines and wrote the due to the fertility of its soil. camel caravans. beautiful psalms found in the Old There are about six thousand in- Water for domestic use is secured Testament. Christ descended from habitants in Bethlehem, consisting from wells, cisterns, and tanb David's line. and the prophets fori'of Christians. Moslems. and Jews. which collect water during the rainy told his birth and his acclamation In the town proper some men arc season. The community well, how- by the world as The King of Kings engaged in carving pearl shells for ever, is an important social ccnt.:r and the Saviour of Mankind. The various decorative purposes anrl th.: for here the townspeople meet to women produce beautiful embro1- get water. and while waiting for light of His tcJ.chings have affcct~d dcrics. In the suburbs, most of the their turns, they exchange the 11- the lives of all Christendom, and people arc occupied in wheat and test news of the day. Travelers we of the first Commonwealth of barley raising. sheep herding, and water their animals here also. the Far East arc now shJ.ring that trnding vineyards olive and pomc- Ewrything, however. is not an- light which first shone on the first granate orchards. tiquated in Judea. for with the com- Christmas Day tn Bethlehem. "'Formerly Principal, Intramuros Intermediate Schoo1. THE SPIRIT OF GIVING cold. tired, and hungry. Perhap<> him out into the streets. He comes (Co11ti11>1ed from page .108) he has not had a good meal fot to you because you have something they have become so poor, but they many a day. A piece of bread may to give away, and he has nothing must be remembered and aided. satisfy hunger, but it can hardly b.: He would not come to you begging On Christmas morning a beggar enough for one meal. Then. for unless he is in great nrcd. may knock at your door. He ;s our dear Lord's sake, don't turn (Pleas<' turn lo page .J:!8)

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