DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.12665#0207
WORSHIP IN THE GROTTO.
191
paces farther is an altar, over the spot where Jo-
seph sat during the birth of the divine infant, med-
itating upon the great event; and farther on, to
the left, is the entrance to the Grotto of the Na-
tivity.
It was the hour assigned for the use of the Ar-
menians, and the monks were all there chanting
the praises of the Redeemer. The chamber of the
grotto is thirty-seven feet long and eleven wide,
with a marble floor and walls, the latter adorned
with tapestry and paintings. Directly in front of
the door by which we entered, at the other end of
the grotto, is a semicircular recess, lined and floored
with small blocks of marble ; and in the centre a
silver star, with the inscription, " Hie natus est Je-
sus Christus de Virga," here Christ was born of
the Virgin. The star in the east which went be-
fore the wise men, says the tradition, rested over
this spot; and fourteen lamps, the gifts of Chris-
tian princes, burning night and day, constantly il-
lumine the birthplace of salvation to a ruined
world. On the right, descending two steps, is a
chamber paved and lined with marble, having at
one end a block polished and hollowed out; and
this is the manger in which our Saviour was laid.
Over the altar is a picture representing a stable
with horses and cattle, and behind a little iron
wicker-work are five lamps constantly burning.
Directly opposite is the altar of the magi, where
the three kings sat when they came to offer pres-
ents to the Son of God. Over it is a picture rep-
191
paces farther is an altar, over the spot where Jo-
seph sat during the birth of the divine infant, med-
itating upon the great event; and farther on, to
the left, is the entrance to the Grotto of the Na-
tivity.
It was the hour assigned for the use of the Ar-
menians, and the monks were all there chanting
the praises of the Redeemer. The chamber of the
grotto is thirty-seven feet long and eleven wide,
with a marble floor and walls, the latter adorned
with tapestry and paintings. Directly in front of
the door by which we entered, at the other end of
the grotto, is a semicircular recess, lined and floored
with small blocks of marble ; and in the centre a
silver star, with the inscription, " Hie natus est Je-
sus Christus de Virga," here Christ was born of
the Virgin. The star in the east which went be-
fore the wise men, says the tradition, rested over
this spot; and fourteen lamps, the gifts of Chris-
tian princes, burning night and day, constantly il-
lumine the birthplace of salvation to a ruined
world. On the right, descending two steps, is a
chamber paved and lined with marble, having at
one end a block polished and hollowed out; and
this is the manger in which our Saviour was laid.
Over the altar is a picture representing a stable
with horses and cattle, and behind a little iron
wicker-work are five lamps constantly burning.
Directly opposite is the altar of the magi, where
the three kings sat when they came to offer pres-
ents to the Son of God. Over it is a picture rep-