"The fulness of the time was come."--_Gal. 4:14._
[Illustration: SHEPHERD]
THERE was a long time after the Jews came home during which we do not
know much about them. Only they had quite left off worshipping idols,
and stood out bravely when a bad king wanted to make them do so.
But they were not good in other ways. They quarrelled among themselves
a great deal. One set, who were called Pharisees, were very proud and
hard-hearted; and another set, who were called the Sadducees, would not
believe or obey any of the Bible that was written after the time of
Moses--none of the Prophets nor of the Psalms.
These two sets quarrelled so much that they allowed a fierce strange
nation to come in and make themselves their masters. These were the
Romans, whose city was Rome, in Italy. They were fierce soldiers, and
wanted to make the world all their own.
[Illustration: THE ANGEL APPEARS UNTO ZACHARIAS.--Luke 1:12, 13.]
[Illustration: THE ANGEL APPEARS UNTO MARY.--Luke 1:35.]
One of their generals, whose name was Pompey, was so daring that he
forced his way into the Holy of Holies, where no one was allowed to go
but the High Priest once a-year. He was disappointed to find nothing
there, only an empty chamber, without any image or likeness; and the
Jews were much grieved and distressed. It was always said that nothing
ever went well with Pompey afterwards.
[Illustration: THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM]
[Illustration: THE PROPHECY OF ELIZABETH AND OF MARY.--Luke 1:39-45.]