sweeps up to the twain heights along which Bethlehem stretches (2,704 feet above the
sea), ascended through the terraced vineyards and gardens. Winter though it was, the
green and silvery fo liage of the olive might, even at that season, mingle with the pale
pink of the almond - nature's 'early waker'13 - and with the darker coloring of the opening
peach-buds. The chaste beauty and sweet quiet of the place would recall memories of
Boaz, of Jesse, and of David. All the more would such thoughts suggest themselves, from
the contrast between the past and the present. For, as the travellers reached the heights of
Bethlehem, and, indeed, long before, the most prominent object in view must have been
the great castle which Herod had built, and called after his own name. Perched on the
highest hill south-east of Bethlehem, it was, at the same time magnificent palace,
strongest fortress, and almost courtier-city.14 With a sense of relief the travellers wo uld
turn from this, to mark the undulating outlines of the highland wilderness of Judæa, till
the horizon was bounded by the mountain-ridges of Tekoa. Through the break of the hills
eastward the heavy molten surface of the Sea of Judgement would appear in view;
westward wound the road to Hebron; behind them lay the valleys and hills which
separated Bethlehem from Jerusalem, and concealed the Holy City.
11. This, of course, is only a conjecture; but I call it 'probable,' partly because one would
naturally so arrange a journey of several days, to make its stages as slow and easy as
possible, and partly from the circumstance, that, on their arrival, they found the khan full,
which would scarcely have been the case had they reached Bethlehem early in the day.
12. Comp. the account of the roads, inns, &c. in the 'History of the Jewish Nation,' p.
275; and the chapter on 'Travelling in Palestine,' in 'Sketches of Jewish Social Life in the
Days of Christ.'
13. The almond is called, in Hebrew, ρθ#, 'the waker,' from the word 'to be awake.' It is
quite possible, that many of the earliest spring flowers already made the landscape bright.
14. Jos. Ant. xiv. 13. 9; xv. 9. 4; War. i. 13. 8:21, 10.
But for the present such thoughts would give way to the pressing necessity of finding
shelter and rest. The little town of Bethlehem was crowded with those who had come
from all the outlying district to register their names. Even if the strangers from far-off
Galilee had been personally acquainted with any one in Bethlehem, who could have
shown them hospitality, they would have found every house fully occupied. The very inn
was filled, and the only available space was, where ordinarily the cattle were stabled.15
Bearing in mind the simple habits of the East, this scarcely implies, what it would in the
West; and perhaps the seclusion and privacy from the noisy, chattering crowd, which
thronged the khan, would be all the more welcome. Scanty as these particulars are, even
thus much is gathered rather by infere nce than from the narrative itself. Thus early in this
history does the absence of details, which painfully increases as we proceed, remind us,
that the Gospels were not intended to furnish a biography of Jesus, nor even the materials
for it; but had only this twofold object: that those who read them 'might believe that Jesus
is the Christ, the Son of God,' and that believing they 'might have life through His
Name.'16 The Christian heart and imagination, indeed, long to be able to localise the
scene of such surpassing importance, and linger with fond reverence over that Cave,
which is now covered by 'the Church of the Nativity.' It may be - nay, it seems likely -