THE BIRTH OF JESUS

In order to avoid the scandalous talk of the people, she left the town and went to the hills around Bethlehem, the place where Jesus is said to have been born. The town of Bethlehem is about 70 miles from Nazareth and is situated at a height of about two thousand feet above sea level and is surrounded by fertile valleys. There were springs on the hills from which the town got its water supply. Palm trees grew in abundance. It was in this area that Mary stayed for the delivery of her child. It was now summer and there were ripe dates on the palm trees. It is stated in the Gospel of Luke that shepherds were out in the fields, keeping watch through the night over their flock.

As the time of Jesus's birth approached, Mary took rest under a palm tree, which was on the slope of the hill outside Bethlehem. In this sheltered place she gave birth to Jesus. As she went through the pains of child-birth, she exclaimed in agony, "Would that I had died before all this and had become a thing quite forgotten." At that moment she heard a voice from the side of the slope of the mountain. It was an angel who comforted her saying that she should not grieve. She was told that her Lord has provided a stream underneath her, wherein she may wash herself and the child. The angel said, "Take hold of the trunk of the palm tree and shake it; it will shed fresh ripe dates upon you. Thus eat and drink and be at rest. And if you see anyone approaching, call out, 'I have vowed a fast to the Gracious God; I will therefore not speak this day to any human being'.”