The air was full of
wonderful sound, voices and song, and the cry of the bells; and the
Child sang as she went in a half-dream by the side of the Recluse:-
"In dieser heil'gen Weihnachtszeit,
Alleluja!
Sei, Gott der Herr, gebenedeit,
Alleluja! Alleluja!"
and wondered when she would wake up. They came to the old, old
church in the forest, and the pictured saints looked out at them
from the lighted window; through the open door they could see
figures moving about with tapers in their hands; save for these the
church was still empty.
The Recluse led the way up the nave to the north side of the Altar.
The Child started a little; she was really dreaming then a kind of
circular dream, for again she stood before the cave, again the
reverend figure kept watch and ward over the kneeling Maid and the
little Babe. The sheep and the shepherds were not there, but a
little lamb had strayed in; and the wonderful figures of fire and
mist--they were there in their place.
"Little one," said the Recluse softly, "here is a symbol--
concealment yet revelation--the King as servant--the strong
helpless--the Almighty a little child; and thus the infinite stands
revealed for all of us, visible and attainable, if we will have it
so. It is the centre of all mystery, the greatest possible wisdom,
the Eternal Child."
"You showed it me before," said the Child, "only we were out of
doors, and the shepherds were there with the sheep; but the angels
are here just the same.
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