Asa of Bethlehem and his household

Front matter

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ASA OF BETHLEHEM

Contents

Chapter Page

I. A.D. 4. Asa’s Household 11

The Strangers from Nazareth 16

Chapter First

HE short December afternoon was more than half spent when Rachel, the busy housewife and mother, paused beside the lattice, and cast an anxious glance toward the westering sun. The sight which met her eyes gave a coveted promise, and, with a mingled sigh of contentment and pleasure, she leaned against the casement, and looked long and lovingly upon the beautiful landscape spread out before her.

Slender and fair, her dark hair brightened here and there by points of golden light, Rachel was a winsome woman to look upon. To the adoring eyes of the young lad seated upon the floor, dividing his attention between his sleeping baby brother and an open parchment upon his knee, no mother in all the world was so young and sweet.

Turning, she met his glance, and with an answering smile said, —

“Judah, my son, there is good promise for the morrow ; the clouds are blushing already, and by sunset time the heavens will be red. Your uncle

Asa of Bethlehem and his Household.

Jacob will journey with fair weather. I am glad he comes at a time when Bethlehem is so pleasant to look upon,” she continued, turning again towards the open casement; “ the country never was more beautiful.”

“And oh, mother,” exclaimed Judah, eagerly, as he arose and stood beside her, “ the town is so full of people, every house is crowded ; even old Simeon and Sarah have opened their doors, and I saw seven children playing there this morning; and at the inn, Michael told me, there was but one room left, and there are many people yet to come, he said. Why do so many come to Bethlehem all at once, mother ? ”

Rachel looked lovingly into the eager, upturned face of her son, as she answered, —

“The Emperor Csesar Augustus has decreed that a list be made of the names of all the people and what they possess, — flocks, herds, houses, and lands, — in order that he may lay a tax upon them. To do this he must know where the people live. He cannot send a man over the country to find each household, and write down the names of the men, women, and children, — it would take months, nay, years of time. So our governor, Herod, has ordered all the country people to go to their ‘own city,’ the home of their ancestors, and give their names. Bethlehem is the home of David, to whose family we belong,” she added proudly. “ It is also the ‘ own city ’ of all who have come up to be

Asa's Household.

i3 enrolled and taxed, and that is the reason the town is so full of people.”

“ But, mother, will not this tax be hard for them to pay? Some of them look very poor.”

“ The Roman yoke was never an easy one to bear, Judah, and it grows not lighter or less hated with the years,” answered Rachel, turning to greet her husband, who at that moment entered the room.

“ Bring thy mantle, Rachel, and walk with me to the orchard of the fig and olive trees,” said Asa, patting the curly head of his boy as he stooped to look at the open parchment “The trees are doing remarkably well, while the almond and peach buds are beginning to show color. There are a few flowers in the fields, not many ; the nights are still too cold for many blossoms.”

Rachel hesitated, and glanced at the sleeping Benjamin. Asa followed her glance, and knowing what was in her heart said, —

“Come, Rachel, Judah will care for Benjamin, and the walk will do thee good.”

“ It is near time for the babe to waken from his slumber, and Judah has sat beside him all the day,” she answered, still hesitating.

“ Oh, do go, mother, I will watch over Benjamin,” said Judah, eagerly ; “ you know you do love the grass and flowers so, and the orchards are fine now. The olive leaves are silver and yellow and green, and the peach buds show little dots of pink.

Asa of Bethlehem and his Household.

There is going to be a grand going-down of the sun to-night, mother.”

Rachel kissed the lad fondly as she replied, “ Verily, above all the mothers in Israel hath God blessed me, in giving me thee for a son, Judah; ” and turning, she left the room.

The walk to the orchards was a most enjoyable one, and after some time spent in examining the young trees, they strolled slowly to the highest point of the ridge, for Rachel was an enthusiastic lover of nature. The green and silent valley, nestled so peacefully among the wooded hills, with the gray waters of the Dead Sea shining through a cleft to the eastward, was ever a delight to her. At the foot of the twin hills, upon whose heights they stood, with the village of Bethlehem stretched out behind them, lay rich and fertile fields, and the hillside below them was covered with vineyards and olive orchards similar to their own.

After some time spent in silent enjoyment of the scene, they turned to depart, and Rachel noted with surprise two travellers wearily climbing the hillside.

“Thou did’st not see them because thine eyes were straying afar from home,” was Asa’s smiling answer to her exclamation. “ Mine eyes have been upon them since first they left the valley and began the steep ascent. They paused not beside the well of David. Rest and shelter will be grateful to them.”

The Strangers from Nazareth.

“ Truly, their journey has been a long one, and they are consumed with weariness,” said Rachel, compassionately, as she watched them. “ Saw’st thou the woman’s face?” she continued eagerly, as the travellers appeared near the summit of the hill, and were for a moment in full view. “ She is young, and as beautiful as the dawning of the morning.”

“ Nay, I did not gaze upon her face,” answered Asa, carelessly ; “ but return with me to the orchard for an instant of time, Rachel, then we will go to Judah and Benjamin.”

When Asa and Rachel reached the inn on their homeward way, they found the travellers before the gate, their weariness for the moment overshadowed by a great disappointment. They had come so late every room in the inn was full, and not only that, but the house was so crowded, there was not even a place of shelter for them, except the stables where the cattle were.

Rachel’s tender heart was touched by their distress, and, laying her hand upon Asa’s arm, she whispered, —

“ Give to the strangers, O my husband, the welcome and shelter of thine house.”

“Not so,” he answered quickly. “Thou art a foolish woman, Rachel ; hast thou forgotten that thy brother Jacob, with his wife and little ones, cometh with the morrow, and where hast thou a place for strangers? ”

1 6

Asa of Bethlehem and his Household.

“The little room where Judah sleep', could be made comfortable,” she answered pleadingly; but Asa only frowned, and continued on his homeward way. Rachel walked soberly beside him, but her heart remained with the weary strangers beside the gate.

The following day, about the time of the simple mid-day meal, Obed, a distant kinsman of Asa, and one of the keepers of the .flocks at Migdal Eder, the sheep of which were used for the Temple sacrifices, entered, and, pausing upon the threshold, asked abruptly, “ Hast thou heard the good tidings of great joy ? Christ, the Saviour of the world, was born last night in Bethlehem ! ”

Rachel half rose from her seat, her delicate face flushing and paling with emotion ; while Asa, after a faint start of surprise, said coldly, “ Explain thyself! ”

“ Yesterday, when the day was drawing to its close,” began Obed, declining, with a motion of his head, a proffered seat, “two travellers, Joseph, a carpenter from Nazareth, with Mary, his wife, arrived at the inn too late to get shelter other than that of the stables. As there was no person at hand to offer hospitality, they went among the cattle.” '

Rachel, distressed, glanced at her husband, but he would not meet her eyes.

“ As thou knowest,” continued Obed, after a

The Birth of the Saviour .

i7 short pause, “ we, the keepers of the flock, have had much trouble of late with robbers. We have joined to us other shepherds, yet even now the robber is more to be dreaded than the wild beasts. About the third watch of the night, being overcome with weariness, I threw myself upon the ground for a moment’s rest, leaving the shepherds to look after the sheep. Although warmly wrapped in my great mantle, it was too chill to sleep, and I lay with closed eyes meditating upon the wrongs of Israel. Suddenly I heard a rustle among the flock, a huddling together as though in fear. Bounding to my feet, I found the frightened sheep and shepherds close beside me. A tender light suffused the heavens and shone round about us; and while we looked and wondered, the shining grew and grew, until the radiance was greater than the light of day, it was like to the glory that dwells with God in heaven. Great fear fell upon us, as we stood dazzled, amazed, and enfolded by that wonderful light. Suddenly an angel, his raiment like to the radiance of the sun, stood before us and spake, saying : ‘ Be not afraid ; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ When he had finished speaking, he was joined by a choir of angels, — a choir so great, they were like the stars in multitude. Softly they began to sing, their words of praise growing in fulness and power, until the melody filled all space, and reached from earth to heaven.

“ ‘ Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased.’ ”

“ Oh, the sweetness of it! the love in it!” whispered Rachel, with shining eyes.

“ Then the angels went away, the light quivered and died out, we were alone. We looked each into the face of the other, then with one accord set out for Bethlehem, leaving the flocks to take care of themselves.”

“ I wish I could tell thee about that walk,” continued Obed, turning again toward Rachel. “ We quickly climbed the terraced heights. Joy gave to our feet wings, but our lips were dumb, for the night was holy. The air still pulsed with the echo of the angels’ song. The shadows of the whispering leaves fluttered and trembled on the ground beneath our tread. God spake to us through every quivering vine and tree. He had been so near us when the angels sang, he was near us still. When we reached the inn, and in the stable saw Joseph, Mary, and the Holy Babe lying in the manger, just as the angels said, our lips found utterance in praise and thanksgiving to God for the unspeakable gift of His son.”

Jesus the Messiah.

Asa was the first to speak : —

“ But think ’st thou, Obed, that the Messiah, the promised King of the Jews, cometh by the way of the manger? Nay, verily, that is past belief. What saith the prophet other than that he sitteth upon the throne of David ? The throne of David lieth not in the stable, Obed.”

“He is the Messiah, the Holy One of Israel,” returned Obed, with conviction ; and bowing to Rachel, he left the house.

“ Asa,” said Rachel, tremulously, " the blessing ' of the Most High would have descended like the dew of the morning upon the dwelling that gave shelter to the Holy Child.”

“ Ay,” answered Asa, absently, “ great honor had been ours, if he prove to be the Messiah ; but I doubt it, I doubt it,” he added vehemently.

Rachel sat lost in thought. The blessing of which she had spoken was a spiritual one. Asa’s thought was of temporal things.

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I

A PERSIAN CITY AT MIDNIGHT. — THE JOURNEY OF THE WISE MEN.— THE BABE TAKEN TO

THE TEMPLE.

Chapter Second

T was after midnight. One by one the lights of the great city had disappeared. The stately temples and palaces were silent. The earth, wrapped in its mantle of shadows, was fast asleep. But the sky was wide awake. It looked to the lonely watcher in the tower like a great dome behind which burned countless lamps, such a soft radiance flowed from and enfolded it. It seemed to speak to him, though in a language he could not understand. It thrilled him, it baffled him, yet it filled him with expectation.

He was a good man, a learned man, one of the Magi. He looked down upon the far-famed city lying so quietly at his feet. How beautiful it was, and yet how sinful ! Oh, what need there was of a God, not such gods as his nation the Persians worshipped, — his lips curled with scorn as he thought of them, — but a God who could forgive sin. He thought again of what learned Rabbis long ago had taught. “Out of Judea,” they said, “shall come a Messiah who shall forgive men their sins, and he shall gain dominion over the world. And when he is born, a star will appear, blazing even at noon-day with undiminished lustre.” “You, my Sons,” said the venerable Seer Zoroaster, “will perceive its rising before any other nation. As soon as you see the star, follow it whithersoever it leads you, and adore the mysterious child, offering your gifts to him with the profoundest humility. He is the Almighty Word which created the heavens .” 1 But that was hundreds of years ago, and through the ages men had watched and waited, and men were watching still. Would it ever come? Hope was fast giving place to despair. He raised his head and looked toward the heavens. He stared bewildered. What was taking place? The soft radiance of the great dome was in motion. Swiftly and silently from every quarter of the heavens it came, gathering around a small central point. It overlapped ; it piled itself into a great cone ; it stretched downward, until it seemed to reach the earth ; it quivered and brightened, and burst into a dazzling light. Then out over the silent city rang a cry, The star ! the star ! and the Wise Man fell upon his knees and hid his face.

The morning broke clear and cool, and long before the city was astir the Magi had begun preparation for their journey. They were eager to be upon the way. That the way would be long

The Circumcision of Jesus .

and perilous, leading them over mountains and through the trackless desert, they well knew; but they were not afraid. The God of the Hebrews would direct their steps and keep them from all harm.

Taking the precious things of their country, gold, frankincense, in half-translucent drops, like “ angel’s tears changed into perfume,” and the sweet-smelling gum myrrh, a kingly gift, they started. The afternoon was giving way to the short Eastern twilight as they left the city. They proceeded swiftly for a little distance, then halted and turned their faces toward Judea. Silently, yet expectantly, they waited. The shadows fell and deepened round them. A belated bird on its homeward way flew past them. One by one the stars appeared, and the moon arose, flooding the plain with silver light and revealing the earnest faces of the waiting Magi. Suddenly the glowing star, His star, appeared. Joyfully they hailed it, and proceeded on their way.

“ I have been sitting with Mary of Nazareth and the Holy Babe,” remarked Rachel, one afternoon, as she made preparation for the evening meal. “ He was eight days old yesterday, and received circumcision and his name, Jesus.”

“ How does the baby Jesus look, mother? ” inquired Judah, who entered just in time to hear her remark. “ Is he as pretty as our Benjamin? ”

“ He is like all young babies,” replied Rachel. “ There is a sweetness, a — I can hardly tell what it is about him, but something that is rather unusual,” she answered, somewhat absently.

Asa looked at his wife inquiringly, as he said, “Thou hast something on thy heart, Rachel; is it not so? ”

“ When Jacob and Ruth returned to their home at Nain,” she answered hesitatingly, “I made the guest-chamber ready — ”

“ Ah ! I see,” broke in Asa, good-naturedly, “ thy guest-chamber is empty, and thou would’st have it filled. Have thy wish, Rachel,” he added, after a moment’s thought, “ it can do no harm. In the morning I will make known to Joseph thy desire, and add a welcome,” he said kindly.

Rachel turned toward her husband, her sweet face all aglow as she exclaimed, “ Truly thou hast read the innermost desire of mine heart, and thou makest my cup of blessings to run over.”

The next day Joseph and Mary, with the infant Jesus, were received into Asa’s house as honored guests.

When Jesus was five weeks old, Joseph and Mary made ready to go up to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple, and give their child to God, as was the custom. Although the distance from Bethlehem to Jerusalem is but six miles, a good two hours’ walk, it was decided to spend the night in the city, and return the following day.

“ I think I will go up to Jerusalem with Mary,”

The Journey to Jerusalem.

2 7 said Rachel to her husband, “ and I ’ll take Judah, unless thou say me nay. He is ten years old, and thoughtful beyond his years. It will be good for him to see the Temple, and worship there.”

The “ Nay” was not spoken, and Judah’s delight knew no bounds when he learned that he was to accompany his mother to the holy city. When they were actually upon the road, with Bethlehem in the distance, he was like a bird upon the wing, darting hither and thither, now before the party, now behind them, on this side of the road, then on that, his keen eyes peering among the tall wayside grasses ; and few were the early flowers that were able to hide from him. He quickly gathered a small bunch for each member of the party, keeping two snow-white blossoms for the baby sleeping so sweetly in Mary’s arms.

At length, somewhat weary with his running, he returned to Rachel, and, as he walked beside her, he asked, —

“What are Joseph and Mary going to do with the baby at the Temple, mother?”

“ Give him to God and redeem him, Judah.”

“ Tell me about it, mother, for I do not understand.”

“ Long years ago, when our people Israel were in bondage to the Egyptians, and God told Pharaoh to let them go, and he would not, — thou rememberest the story, Judah, — God slew all the first-born of the Egyptians, both of man and beast.

28 Asa of Befbleloem and his Household.

Then God told Moses that all the first-born of Israel were to be given to him, and set apart for his service in the tabernacle, that we, his people, might never forget what he had done for us, in bringing our fathers out of the land of bondage. The giving of the first-born son is an offering of gratitude to God, Judah.”

“Will Jesus have to stay in the Temple all the time, mother?”

“ Nay ; for afterwards God told Moses that instead of taking all the first-born sons among the children of Israel for his priests, he would take the tribe of Levi ; and while all the first-born must be given to Him, they could be redeemed, that is, bought back again.”

“ Was I taken to the Temple and given to God, mother?” asked Judah, after a moment’s thought.

“ Ay, my son, we gave thee to God and redeemed thee. Never forget for a moment that thou belongest to God as well as to thy parents, Judah.”

“And Benjamin, mother; was he too taken to the Temple?”

“Nay, thou art the first-born son, Judah, and in giving thee, we gave all. But look ! there is Jerusalem.”

Once within the gates of the city, Judah was well-nigh speechless with astonishment and delight. The wonderful palaces, the fine houses, and, above all, the Temple, were a revelation to him. He had

The Service at the Temple.

never, though he had often mused upon it, imagined anything so beautiful. And beautiful the Temple was beyond the telling! Built of the whitest of marble and glittering with gold, it sat like a jewelled crown upon the brow of Mount Moriah. Its massive walls, its graceful porticoes upheld by slender columns, its rich hangings, the golden altar, the candlesticks and dishes, all overlaid with pure gold, filled his boyish heart with admiration and awe unspeakable. And above all, God Himself dwelt in the Holy of holies !

But now all was ready, it was time for the service to begin. Standing close beside his mother, he watched with beating heart the formal giving up of Jesus to the Lord. He tried hard to understand the prayers of the priest. One he could not. He heard the words “ law ” and “ redemption,” but just what was meant he did not know. The other prayer, giving thanks for the gift of a first-born son — that he could understand. He tried hard to swallow the big lump which filled his throat, as he saw the redemption-money counted out and paid. It was all so solemn he could hardly endure it. Jesus had been given up to God and received back from Him. Judah was so glad that it was over ; but when Rachel whispered, “ Listen to the music of the great organ , 1

1 Magrephah, an instrument having pipes, and according to tradition, able to give forth one hundred different tones, while so great was its volume of sound that it was heard to the remotest corners of the vast Temple buildings.

Judah, that means the incense is being kindled on the Golden Altar,” the lump in his throat became unmanageable, and instead of looking at the cloud of incense rising toward God from off the altar, he hid his face in the folds of his mother’s gown.

One day, some time after the return from Jerusalem, Asa, coming unexpectedly upon Judah, found him intently studying the face of the sleeping Jesus. Laying his hand lightly upon the lad’s shoulder, he asked, laughingly, —

“What art thou trying to find, Judah? Or art thou dreaming?”

Startled, Judah looked up into his father’s face, and replied, hesitatingly, —

“ I was trying to see the Messiah, father.”

“ The Messiah ! ” exclaimed Asa, almost angrily. “ Who hath filled thy head with idle fancies such as these? ”

“ Obed told me the angel said he was the Messiah, father ; and when we were in the Temple, an old man they called Simeon came up to us and took Jesus out of Mary’s arms, and began to praise God for letting him see the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. He said now he was ready to die. An old woman, too, father, a prophetess, knew him. How could they know anything about Jesus, unless an angel told them something?”

“There is a deal of vain conjecture and making much of little,” replied Asa, shortly ; “ but bring

Prophesies of the Messiah.

thy grandfather’s priceless gift, Judah, the roll of Moses’ writings and the Prophets. Now read here,” he said, unrolling the book of Numbers.

“‘There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel.’ A sceptre, Judah, and thou knowest a sceptre rests only in the hands of a king. Now unroll the writings of Jeremiah and read here. ‘Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as a king, and deal wisely and shall execute judgment and justice in the land.’ The prophet Isaiah tells about him also. Now what thinkest thou, will a king sit upon the throne of David, or a babe born in a manger? ”

Judah did not know how to answer his father, and said nothing; but deep in his childish heart, he believed with his mother and kinsman Obed that Jesus was the Messiah, the king of the Jews.

III

ARRIVAL OF THE WISE MEN AT JERUSALEM.— THEIR RECEPTION AT THE PALACE. — THEY FIND JESUS AT BETHLEHEM.

Chapter Third

HE night was slowly giving way to dawn. Gray and cold, it still hung like a veil over the villas and gardens outside the walls of Jerusalem. A little group of travellers, showing, even in the dim light, marks of a long and toilsome journey, approached the city, and halted beside one of its closed and massive gates.

High in the Temple-tower, his appointed place, a priest anxiously scanned the heavens. The first faint breath of the waking day began to rustle the leaves upon the trees, and set the birds singing. A streak of silver light, quickly followed by a rosy blush, appeared in the East, and the waiting watchman seized his silver trumpet and sent out upon the air a long and musical blast. This he repeated twice. Below, in the Temple the sacrificial lamb had been made ready, and was laid upon the altar. The city awoke to prayer, the gates were opened, and lo ! the day was begun.

Once within the city walls, the travellers proceeded slowly, as strangers are wont to do, not knowing exactly whither to direct their steps. They sought the Temple. High upon the mount, stately and beautiful it stood. They had seen and recognized it at once, but which of the many narrow streets would lead them to the ascending Temple road, they did not know. Stopping before one of the numerous little shops that lined the way, to inquire, they found themselves in a place where food was cooked and sold, a Jewish eating-house. Early as was the hour, two men, Romans, were already partaking of their morning meal. The appetizing odor of the food awoke the strangers to the consciousness of their own needs, hunger having been forgotten in their eager haste to reach the Temple. Now they would fain obtain refreshment as well as needed direction, for they were faint with the fasting and travel of the night. After pointing out the way, the pleasant-faced Hebrew quickly made ready and set before them a delicately broiled fresh fish, fried locusts, and a small loaf of bread.

“Art thou come up to Jerusalem to worship at the temple, Rabbi ? ” he inquired respectfully, turning toward the elder of the little group, “ or has the fame of our merchants drawn thee hither? Verily,” he added, noting for the first time the evidences and stain of travel, “ thy journey hath been long and wearisome ! ”

“ Thou speakest truly,” was the reply. “ Many are the leagues that lie between thy city and our homes. Over lofty mountains and the trackless desert have we come ; but these have counted less

The Coming of the Magi.

than nothing,” he added hastily, “ for we are come to Jerusalem to worship him that is born King of the Jews. Canst thou tell us where he may be found? ”

“King of the Jews!” exclaimed the Hebrew, “ Nay verily, thou art mistaken, Rabbi ; Herod hath no young son.”

“But thy nation — are they not looking for the coming of a Messiah, a King ? ”

“Yea, truly, God Himself hath so promised Israel ; but the time hath been long, and still he cometh not,” returned the Hebrew, gloomily.

“ The ways of thy God are not as man’s ways, and His waitings are long,” continued the Wise Man, reverently. “ But his promise he hath redeemed, the Messiah is come ! Hearken,” he continued, as the Hebrew was about to speak, “ The promise of thy God to send a king to the Jewish nation was made known to our prophets, and foretold by them long years ago. It was also made known that at the time of his coming a star of exceeding beauty and brilliancy would appear in the heavens to proclaim his birth. Many weeks ago this star appeared. From the far East we have followed it, for we would worship Him, the Messiah. It hath led us to Jerusalem. Again we ask thee and thy people, where is He that is born King of the Jews?”

The Roman was the first to speak.

“ Knowest thou aught of Herod, the governor and king?” he asked, abruptly.

“ Nay; for, as thou knowest, we are strangers in Jerusalem.”

The Roman continued : —