Page 356 - Bible History

THE REDEE R AMONG MEN 329
come a mother through the Holy Ghost. She shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus. For He shall save His people from their sins.'' Thus was ful lled the prophecy of Isaias, '' Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which means, God with us."
In those days it happened that a decree went forth The bi h of
from Augustus, the Roman emperor, ordering that a C ist census be taken of his whole empire. Rome had reached the·height of her power, and the emperor wished to know exactly the extent -of his rule. The census would likewise reveal to him the resources of
the various provinces and he could then put a valua­ tion on them for the purpose of taxation.
Now, whenever the Jews took up a census, they left their place of residence and went to the city from which their ancestors came. Joseph and Mary were descendants of David. Therefore, they went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea to the City of David, which is called Bethlehem.
When they reached the little town of Bethlehem, they found it crowded with visitors, and there was no room for them in the inn. They sought in vain for a place to stay, but the best shelter that they could nd was a cave in the side of a hill on the outskirts of the town. This cave was used as a kind of stable for ani­ mals in bad weather.
Entering the cave, Mary and Joseph prepared to remain there for the night. It was during that night, and in that humble stable, that the Son of God was