Justin Martyr states that Jesus was born in a cave, and this statement Farrar is disposed to accept: "Justin Martyr, the Apologist, who, from his birth at Shechem, was familiar with Palestine, and who lived less than a century after the time of our Lord, places the scene of the nativity in a cave. This is, indeed, the ancient and constant tradition both of the Eastern and the Western churches, and it is one of the few to which, though unrecorded in the Gospel history, we may attach a reasonable probability" (Life of Christ, p. 3). 53 Why did Joseph and his wife take shelter in a stable? Luke: "Because there was no room for them in the inn" (ii, 7). Luke states that there was an inn at Bethlehem. There was no inn in the place. Dr. Geikie says: "We must not moreover think of Joseph seeking an inn at Bethlehem, for inns were unknown among the Jews" (Christmas at Bethlehem). 54 What celestial phenomenon attended Christ's birth? Matthew: A new star appeared and stood in the heavens above him (ii, 1-9). Luke: An angelic choir appeared and sang praises to God (ii, 13, 14). Matthew's story of the star and the Magi, even to the language itself, was borrowed from the writings of the Persians; Luke's story of the celestial visitants was taken from Pagan mythology. 55 Who visited him after his birth? Matthew: Wise men from the East (ii, 1-11). Luke: Shepherds from a neighboring field (ii, 8-20). Matthew makes no mention of the shepherds' visit; Luke is evidently ignorant of the visit of the wise men. 56 From where did the wise men come? Matthew: "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying: Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the East, and are come to worship him" (ii, 1, 2). By the "East" was meant Persia or India, and from one of these countries the Magi are popularly supposed to have come. Justin Martyr says: "When a star rose in heaven at the time of his birth, as is recorded in the 'Memoirs' of his Apostles, the Magi from Arabia, recognizing the sign by this, came and worshiped him" (Dialogues, cvi). If they came from Arabia, as this Christian father declares, they came not from the East, but from the South. 57 What announcement did the angel make to the shepherds? "For behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people" (Luke ii, 10).