The Innkeeper and His Stable (1)

The Innkeeper and His Stable (1)

Bethlehem was buzzing.
People poured into the little town from all over the country.

The Roman Emperor had told the people to go back to the place where they were born so that he could have them all counted.

All the shops in Bethlehem busy.



The streets were crowded with people and donkeys and camels.

Families tried to stay together as they pushed through the crowds.

The inn soon filled up.
Many families wandered from inn to inn trying to find a place to stay.

(1/5)
少し早いChristmas のお話なのですが。

The Innkeeper and His Stable (2)

The Innkeeper and His Stable (2)

The innkeepers were rushing around to take care of the guests.
They had never had so many before.

One kind innkeeper wanted to help as many of the travelers as he could.

He gave up his own family rooms for guests.
He and his family made themselves comfortable in the kitchen.

Still people knocked at the door.
He had to turn them away.
" Sorry. No room, " he said.

"No room.
All over Bethlehem innkeepers were saying the same thing to the weary travelers.
" No room. No room. "

The kind innkeeper and his wife, wondered what else they could do to help.

(2/5)

The Innkeeper and His Stable (3)

The Innkeeper and His Stable (3)

Then they had an idea.

" What about the stable ?  It's big enough and quite warm with the hay and the animals. "

Soon they heard another knock on the door.

A man, his wife and their donkey stood there in the dark.
" Have you any room for us ? " asked the man, called Joseph.

" We've tried everywhere and Mary is very tired. She is going to have a baby soon. "

" Well, there's only the stable left, but it is warm and comfortable. Come and see. "

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The Innkeeper and His Stable (4)

The Innkeeper and His Stable (4)

A cow mooed and  some chickens scuttled away when the door was opened.

Joseph pulled together some heaps of hay and made a soft bed for Mary and himself.

They were glad that the kind innkeeper had helped them.

Now it was dark outside.

Up on the hills around the little town of Bethlehem shepherds guarded their sheep.

(4/5)

The Innkeeper and His Stable (5 完)

The Innkeeper and His Stable (5 完)

Suddenly, angels appeared in the sky and told them of a special baby who was to be born in a stable that night in Bethlehem.

The shepherds rushed down and found the stable.

They opened the door quietly and saw, in the glow of the lantern, Mary and Joseph and the newly born baby lying in a manger.

Jesus had been born.

It was the first Christmas Day.

(5/5 完)