The Eighth Tribe, 1974 (1. évfolyam, 1-7. szám)
1974-12-01 / 7. szám
Page Two THE EIGHTH TRIBE December, 1974 A LIGHT FROM ABOVE — A STRANGE NIGHT — THAT CHANGED THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD In the winter of the Year One, some 749 years after the founding of Rome, I made the long, hard journey to the city of my birth, Bethlehem, the City of David, in Judea. On the day which has since become known as Christmas Eve, I arrived in Bethlehem. It was there I would he counted and taxed because of the Emperor of Rome’s decree. I was but a peasant and although I immediately went to the inn, I knew poor folks such as I were not allowed lodging in the guest house. It was crowded with a noble throng of high ladies and their lords, rabbis and the rich, close-herded with their servants until the inn was like a hive at swarming time. I finally wandered through the entrance to the court of the inn. A lantern was swinging from a rope stretched across two posts. Guided by this light I entered and found the courtyard full of beasts of burden, a sure sign the inn was crowded. I must have nodded off to sleep because I was suddenly awakened by the barking of dogs. I jumped up to see what aroused the beasts, as most of the village was asleep by then. I peered around the corner of the inn and saw a bearded man, his face lined with fatigue, pounding on the door. Behind him a young, fair woman, also drooping and pale, sat on a small donkey. The woman was great with child. The innkeeper told the man his guest house was full, hut as he spotted the tired woman, he took pity on them and directed them to a small stable located near the inn. The couple displayed no anger as they wearily picked their way to the stable. I went back to my place and fell back to sleep. Once again I was awakened by excited loud voices. I noticed they were shepherds from the hills. I asked them what are they doing here. ☆ ☆ THE STORY OF THE SHEPHERDS It was a chilly night, with a chance of turning colder, and the shepherds were spending a routine evening tending their sheep. Paul was late in reporting and the head shepherd, Timothy, was afraid he was going to have to put him on report. There were the usual grumbles and complaints that accompanied all cold nights and they were just passing time until morning came and they could return to the warmth of their homes. It was about five minutes before midnight when the sheep became restless and they all had their hands full keeping them in one area. Paul was the first to notice her and shouted out in fright. The rest of the group ran over to see what the problem was, fearing wild animals, when they saw her too. A woman dressed in white with wings. They had never seen anything like it before and were beginning to panic when she said, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people: for there is bom to you this day in the City of David a saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” The shepherds did not know how to take this and turned to Timothy since he was in charge. He asked the woman what she wanted of them fearful yet trying not to show that fear. He knew if the other shepherds saw that he was frightened panic would ensue and most of the herd would be lost. She told them she was an angel of the Lord, a messenger, and that this should be a sign to them, “Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger,” she said. THE EIGHTH TRIBE Editor .................................................................. Sándor E. Chomos Contributing Editor .................................................Albert Wass Published and printed by ..._..............The Bethlen Press, Inc. P.O. Box 637, Ligonier, Pa., U.S.A. Second Class Postage paid at Ligonier, Pa. 15658, U. S. A. Subscription: $8.00 yearly.
