Shepherd Christmas

It was Christmas Eve. When everything was ready, Jansci went out to call the shepherds. In a little while they came, led by the oldest of them. He brought a gift. It was a small scene of Bethlehem, all carved in wood. He set it under the tree tenderly and turned around. “Blessed be the……

The Nativity Scene

When Holy Mass was over, we went with the children to the side altar. There, in a little wood of spruce trees, was the whole town of Bethlehem spread out before our eyes. The shepherds were already out in the field with their flock. Mary and Joseph had arrived at the cave. They were kneeling……

The Christmas Tree

Sarah went hot and cold with excitement as she followed Aunt Nettie into the parlor. And there it was, just as beautiful as last year – a fir tree, nearly reaching the ceiling, set up in the corner. Sarah looked again. Yes, there they were – tiny candles, clipped to every branch. “Here, Sarah,” Aunt……

Conditor Alme Siderum (Vespers Hymn for Advent)

7th Century, Composer Unknown Translation by W.H. Monk and C. Steggall 1. Creator of the starry height, Thy people’s everlasting light, Jesu, Redeemer, save us all, Hear thou thy servants when they call. 2. Thou, sorrowing at the helpless cry Of all creation doomed to die, Didst save our lost and guilty race By healing……

Christmas Singing

On the great day the fire was piled high with logs for once and crackled merrily as the younger boys sat round it in a ring, laughing and joking as they threw chestnuts on the hearth to bake. Now and again someone would burst into a lively carol and the big room would be full……

Generations of Adorers

Hugh and Dickon opened the heavy wooden door of the Old Church and went in. Once inside, Hugh paused and looked about him. The monks had not used the church for generations, not since the spacious and beautiful edifice of St. Mary’s had been built. It was typically Anglo-Saxon in form, rectangular, without transepts, instead……

The Twelve Days of Christmas

As we approached the house, we heard the sound of music, and now and then a burst of laughter from one end of the building. This, Bracebridge said, must proceed from the servants’ hall, where a great deal of revelry was permitted, and even encouraged, by the Squire throughout the twelve days of Christmas, provided……

After Christmas

It had turned very cold. The stars that had shone so brightly on the evening of Christmas Day had been the first torchbearers in a procession of sparkling days and nights. Every morning the sun rose out of a glowing bed of fire and slowly climbed a sky of cold, brilliant blue. There was not……

Genuine Hospitality

The family meeting was warm and affectionate; the squire would not permit us to change our travelling dresses, but ushered us at once to the company, which was assembled in a large old-fashioned hall. It was composed of different branches of a numerous family connection. They were variously occupied, some at a round game of……