Oh, God, my Father, let glad tidings come to me from distant lands and far-off times, so that my simple heart can hold and understand them.

I am thirsty for God's truth, and whatever shall strengthen, comfort, and save me, will be for me God's truth.

Oh, thou pale light! Art thou my mother's heritage and blessing?
Oh, my mother! From out the eternal dwelling speak to thy unhappy son--oh, speak! Did I not always see you in the woman who, during the cold winter season, was compelled to go across the mountains far from home?
And so I will begin.
At that time the land of the Jews was under the dominion of the Romans.
The Roman Emperor wished to know how many Jews there were, and commanded that an enrolment of the people should be made in Judaea.
All the Jews were to go to the place of their birth, and there report themselves to the Imperial officer.

In the little town of Nazareth, in Galilee--a mountainous district of Judaea--there lived a carpenter.

He was an elderly man, and had married a young wife of whom a folk-song still sings-- "As beautifully white as milk, As marvellously soft as silk; A woman very fair to see, Yet full of deep humility." They were poor people, but pious and industrious and obedient.