December 1931
556 ward and crosswise, were exchanged. For all that, both had missed the gay greeting that was wont to rise to their play, and they stood now with questioning eyes full upon their elders. The Roman spoke first. “We heard your talk, dear pigeons,” he said; “and—let us sit. Yes, my friend,” he continued, in an swer to a surprised glance from Baruch, “we may, nay, I think we must speak of these things together, since these beloveds seem to know somewhat of the strange things of which all Jerusalem is talking. And Herod is raging, as ever, at all he can not understand-—or order. Baruch, there is need that we—thou and I—Walk softly, think we what we may.” “Thou sayest truly, Excellency.” Within encircling arms, the little girls now stood, in increasing wonder. “Hast spoken to any other of these things, my lamb, either today, or before?” The question was Baruch’s and to it Miriam replied, “Nay, my father.” “And thou?” asked the Roman of his little maid. “Nor I, my father.” “That is well. It must still be so, and may the living God have us in His care.” Though he said nothing, the Roman fa ther was aware of his daughter’s amaze ment at the name of the God of the Jews upon his lips. In a few words, the strange and beauti ful story was told, chiefly for Junia's sake, as it was already known to the other three, for the Roman, too, had just come from Bethlehem, where he, with Baruch, had seen the virgin mother and her Holy Child, the former sent secretly by Herod, who, for some reason which he did not give, was greatly disturbed by the event. “Recallest thou, Baruch,” asked the Ro man, when the narration was finished, “how my search into the Jew’s religion led me to thee? A search it was that began from mere curiosity. And what thinkest thou now, master?” For the relation be tween the two had quickly become such that they found themselves growing of one mind concerning a Babe, lying not far away in a manger. Baruch drew from a fold in his flowing robes, a scroll, and at his first move, the Roman, from a more hidden place, brought out a like one. Finding the place, the Jew read from the page, eagerly followed by four young eyes: “ ‘Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and hpar a son, and shall call his name Im manuel,’ and, ‘Thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.’” Again he read, with deep solemnity, “ ‘For unto us a child is born’— is born” and the deep voice thrilled through the air. “ ‘Unto us a son is given: and the govern ment shall be upon his shoulders: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsel lor, The mighty God, The everlasting Fa ther, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and up on his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will,’ will ‘perform this.’ ” A last faint, golden sunset ray shot through the fragrant, fast falling dusk, and a holy hush wrapped the little group.
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T he Memory Four
“What is His name?” The soft voice of Junia caressed, rather than broke, the si lence. “His name—1” It was Baruch who spoke, and after a moment, he went on, “There, too, is a strange thing, Excellency. I may tell thee that it is a Jewish custom that the father have the naming of the children, and often, I fear, to the point of hardness, the wish of the mother is disregarded. But Mary of Nazareth says, and Joseph agrees —thou didst hear Mary say it was told her of the angel in Nazareth, ‘Thou shalt call his name Jesus.’ May not this, too, bear a meaning? Why should Joseph, indeed, have aught to do with it, if this child is in deed, as Mary says, the Son of the High est—Son of God and not of man—Jeshua, the Saviour, the Deliverer of His people?” Baruch sat for a moment, lost in his musing. Then, firmly, he said, “I believe this Child to be the Messiah.” “And I, too, believe Him to be the Sav iour of—the world, yea, of all people." And the same solemn joy rang in both Jewish and Roman voices. “I—I crave thy pardon, noble Roman, but I know not how that can be. Yet, the angel said to the shepherds that the tidings were to all the world. I feel that thou speakest truly. A light—” “To lighten—the Gentiles.” The sentence was finished by the Roman, as the two strong hands met and clung, and all four rose and stood with faces turned toward the place where the Babe lay. “The Messiah, the King of the Jews and —Herod. Doth he thus early sense it? His fury would spare none, high or low, who dared to breathe, much less stand in the belief of this. Payest thou the price, Roman ?” “I pay—the price. And thou, Jew? ’Twould be even heavier for thee.” “I pay—the price.” And a hand of each was laid on the small head resting upon his heart. “Come,” at length said Baruch, “let us go and worship now—in that Light.” “My father, Miriam and I may not go, but I—we would—is it not so, Miriam?— we would send to the Babe our new filets. The color will please Him when He is older. And for Mary of Nazareth,” dart ing to the fig tree, upon which suddenly there broke a silver moon gleam, “for her, the figs. Poor gifts, for the King, but our best.” “Our best, yea, all, for the Messiah,” came Miriam’s low, clear voice, “for the Holy Child Jesus.” With scarce a breath between, Baruch went on, and after the first word, the voices of Jew and Gentile joined, “called Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.” Chilly meadow; silly sheep; Watching shepherds half asleep; A slumb’ring town; a cattle keep, And the cry Of a Babe. Glory light and a glory song! Gleaming wings of an angel throng! Praises to God on High belong! The CHRIST Is born! Bethlehem E ph ratah
1st week—Micah 5 :2. 2nd week—Matthew 2 :1, 2. 3rd week—Matthew 2:7, 8. 4th week—Matthew 2:9, 10, 11. Bible Q uestionnaire
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Where do we read— 1. The first news of the first coming of Jesus, before He came? The first news of Him after He 2, came ? . ■ 3. The first news of His second com- ing? 4. The first happening after this com- ing? How She Knew D addy ,” said a little daughter, “our teacher says she knows we have all green cheese, and she wants us to tell her whether we think it is or not, and why. I wish you would help me with the an swer, please.” But Daddy thought the teacher wanted her pupil to work it out herself, and he said so. In the course of the day, the thought came to him that he should have talked the matter over with the child. At the evening meal, he proposed doing so. “But, Daddy, I had to give the answer this afternoon,” she said. “And did you?” “Why, yes,” was the reply. “And what did you say ?” asked the greatly interested parent. “I said it was not, because the moon was made on the fourth day, and cows were not made until the sixth. The Bible says so.” —T old by H arry R immer , Los A ngeles , C alif . T he Editor Speaking Dear Juniors, Parents, and Teachers: “Let us now go . . . unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” We shall do that often, in our thoughts as we celebrate this month the birthday of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, Dear Older Ones, we share our letter this month with you, that we may all think together of Him. When we think of the Baby born in a manger (so poor was H e !) and realize that, today, there is no name named, and no person more thought about than the Name and the Person of this One, it is very wonderful. True, many—even most—speak His Name wrongly, and for this practice that God’s Word calls blas phemy, there is a terrible punishment; but the fact remains that there is no other name or person so often named or thought about. At this s e a s o n of the year, many, who have no thought of Him, will be giving and getting gifts, but we who love Him will have a joy in giving that others cannot know, for we shall give in remembrance of Him who is God’s great Gift to us. If I should ask you how you know this, you would, I am sure, answer with John 3:16, filling the air with its music. And you would catch up and carry on the echo of that wonderful message of the angel in Bethlehem, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Sav iour, which is Christ the Lord.” Dear reader, have you given Him the gift that He mbst desires? Lovingly, Y our E ditor .
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