For the Lord hath comforted His people,
And will have mercy on His afflicted.

"'How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet of Him that bringeth good tidings,
That publisheth peace,
That bringeth good tidings of good,
That publisheth salvation.'

"It was midnight when we climbed the hill to the little city of
Bethlehem; the constellation Cesil, called by the Greeks Orion, was
just setting in the west. We knew not whither to go. We had only the
sign of the angel by which we should know the infant Messiah. He was a
babe of one day. He was lying in a manger.

"'Let us go to the inn Chimham,' said my father. 'It stands on the
very spot where King David was born. Peradvanture we shall find him
there.'

"Over the entrance to the court of the inn a lantern was swinging from
a rope stretched across from post to post. Guided by its light, we
entered, and found the courtyard full of beasts of burden, showing
that the inn was crowded with travelers. In the arched shelter of the
hostelry as many as could find room were lying; some who could not
sleep were sitting up and waiting drearily for the morning. Two aged
women near the entrance, were talking in a low tone.

"'Peace be unto you!' said my father.

"'The Lord be gracious unto thee,' answered the oldest woman, in a