The Valley of Vision

yriad of pilgrims crowded through the gates and streets of the city, all straining toward th

r servants following; Jews from far-away countries, and curious visitors from all parts of the world; ragged children of the city, and painte

er court, with its porticos and alcoves, he found the confusion worse than ever. For there the money-changers and the buyers and sellers of animals for sacrifice were bargaining and haggling; and the thousands of people were jost

his mother following until they came to the Court of the Women. Here the mother stayed, for that was the law-a woman must not go farther. But the Boy was now "a son of the Commandment," and he followe

of cymbals, and the chanting of psalms. Black clouds of smoke went up from the hidden altar; the floor around was splashed and stre

ked the Boy as his father too

ther n

one," said the Boy.

aid, "it had to be offered on the altar, so that we can

e killed in the Temple? Does God like that? How man

sands," answe

aid the Boy, sighing. "

memory of the long-ago flight of the Israelites from Egypt. There was the roasted lamb, with bitter herbs, and flat cakes of bread made without yeast. A cup of wine was passed around the table four times. The Boy asked his father the meaning of all these

s to the Lord,

-kindness endu

hat he was a son of Israel, but sorry when he thought of the thousands of little lambs and the altar f

ctions in its courts, continued as usual, and there was a greater crowd than ever within its walls. As the Boy went thither with his parents they came to a

y to save their hou

They follow the teaching of the Pharisees, who say that it is un

ith a crutch, sitting in the door of a

the Boy, "and hear the music at the Temple?

ith his crutch on other days, but not on the Sabbath, for h

nd Levites and listening to the music, the Boy was thinking what the Sa

joyous day. A sheaf of ripe barley was reaped and carried into the Temple and presented before the high a

, and the wide fields of golden grain waving in the wind. He was happy all day as he walked through the busy streets with his parents, buying some things that were needed for the home in Nazareth