The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-12-26

advance d" in wisdom and age ana grace
with God aud men," as did the Child of
Mary. Then follows the washing of the
bands, with it's appropriate prayers then
come the secretaa, the preface, the whis-
pered prayers for Gods church, for friends
and benefactors, for all the living faithful.
The moment of conservation draws nigh:
Books are laid aside, hands arc clasPed
upon the breast every head is bent. The
sweet voices in the choir have been hushed;
the organs silvery tones, murmnrlpg uore
and more softly, have at length died away,
awe stricken by the silence that fills Gods
house. Yes silence flls it. for silence
now seems a somethiDg-a breathless,
pulseless, but mighty spirit filling all this
temple, rs the cloud of Gods glory once
flled the tabernacle. You think you could
almost hear a spirit move, yOu feel as
though yen were among the angels when
they waited breathlessly to behold the ct
feet of the sublime utterance, "Let there
be light" Bending low in reverend hu-
mility, the priest in a whisper of awe speaks
the almighty words " This Is my body"
This is the chalice of my blood :" the
light breathing of that whisper Ia heard
even in the bosom of the Eternal Father
the golden gates of Paradise are thrown
open, and God "bows the heavens and
comes down." He is here, this church is
now the hut of Bethlehem, this altar ls the
manger; for the Child is born upon itas
really as the Virg n mother there brought
him forth.
AS when of old light was made, there
was q music of the spheres, of the sun aud
moon and all the stars and planets, eng
| ing their morning hymn OF gratitude, so
| ia the stiffness now also broken, 50 does
the choir, warbling in swelling giet, burst
| forth in graud climax, HosannaI in excel
| sis" Aud in the mean time priest and
! people united, utter to their new born Sa-
| viour many rich and beautiful prayers for
the living, for the faithful departed, for
| themselves.
| The villagers are absorbed in prayer !;
it seems as though their fervor kept re
doubling, as though the flames of holy love
burned higher and higher every instant.
| Well they may, for the moment is ap-
preaching in which each heart will be a
manger in which Jesus will be laid, each
breast a tabernacle in which love Itself
shall dwell. Already there is move
amsng them with modest gait, with
clasped hands and downcast eyes, they ad
vance to the sanctuary, the mystic bread is
given to them line after line, aud, bearing
their God with them, they all return IN
reverence to give thanks, to petition fol
good thipga. Serenity is in their eyes and
on their features, joy is 10 their hearts
rapture in their souls, peace among their
feelings, and Jesus within their bosoms
harmonizing all. o truly happy Cnrist
mas! o the bliss that now is theirs. the
comfort of this moment! Well may the
chanters hymn: so Jesus. God Great
God Good Pastor Sweet Lamb! o Jesus
my Jesus! o Bread! o Mama! o Power
what dost thou not grant to mani
, Then praises and thanks are sung joy
ously by the priest, and his hand is stretch
| ed in blessing from the altar. The Mass ii
, over, and the procession moves from the
sanctuary, while the choir chants aloud
"Praise the Lord all ye nations, praise hin
all se people. Because his mercy, is Goa
; frmed upon US, aud the truth f<tte L orG
: remaineth for ever" (Ps. cxvi.)
The chant dies away, and for while no
= a sound is heard through all the sacre'
, building No one stirs as yet all remail
j some time to return thanks, to allow th
:. impression of the festival to sink deep int
= their souls. At length they rise, and bow
a ing lowly toward the altar, they go forth
u u At the church door hands are shaken
! kisses given, warm embraces are exchanged
: and joy and happiness and al the bless
= ings of the Guilds nativity are wished az
h wished again.
q But follow them home from their mid
a night celebration. For long time til
is village slumbers not; lights glimme
. through the cottage windows, and With
Ie groups are kneeling around little home
- made oratory, with little crib in the mlc
r die, aud candles around it, This Ia
ia greater Importance than the gatherir
ia around the yuIe-fire or the decked tre
"a Moreover, all did not go home when Ma
is was over. Go back to the church, and bt
is hold those silent figures praying in ever
,e posture that feeling can suggest. Ther
in before that tabernacle, mother prays II
"a divine Child for her own babe virgi
IN prays for purity like to that of the Vlrg'
,e mother the child of misery seeks cons
ic lation from him who was born in stable
1e many repeat over and over again the Cal
a ticle of the angels, and all beg the bieE
ne ings of him over whom the. angels sang
10 AT length these also are gone ; the ligh
ia are quenched about the altar, all, save tl
AT silver lamp which is never extinguished; s
no is still as was the stable when the shepher
rs had adored and gone back to their iocks.
,ir But the festival of our Saviour's bir
IN is not over yet. GAS the day comes rou
ed in music and in light" you again see t
ak villagers vending their way to the churc
and a third time, when the SUI is in t
m. mid arch of heaven. Each time is witnes
lst ed the same sublime celebration that '
ly behOld at midnight for three births
be Christ are celebrated His birth from t
O. Father before time began bis birth fro
r, the immaculate Virgin as wailiug ba
Id at Bethlehem his mystic birth, By faI