The city was crowded; the private homes were full; all the
hotels, inns, and other places were crowded out. Tired, worn, and weary
from their long journey, they were jostled by the crowd in the narrow
streets of the city. Applying to various places for lodging, at each
place they were turned away; until finally they found a location where
they could sleep in a stall with the cattle. And they retired for the
night's repose.
[140]Over the brow of the hill, in the field once owned by Boaz and
gleaned by the beautiful Ruth, the faithful shepherds were watching
their sheep. According to custom, they had four watches during the
night. Some would watch while the others slept.
[141]The earthly stage is now set. But behold that there was no great
earthly splendor or show! In truth the condition of poverty of Joseph
and his espoused, and the like poor condition of the shepherds who were
now shortly to be used of the Lord, was the only fitting way that we
should expect the Lord would have it. All the pomp and glory of earthly
preparation would have been but tawdry tinsel, detracting from the
glorious things that were shortly to follow. Each one of the earthly
players whom Jehovah had assigned to perform a part upon this stage was
humble, meek, and possessed of faith in the promises of God. In heaven
there was a host of angels that should participate in the great drama;
and all the hosts of heaven were witnesses to this unparalleled and
never-again-to-be-performed event.
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