The Irish standard., 1908-12-19
Snsulary Appealing Feature Of Christmastde in the
Eternal City is the Crib and Ritual For '.
the Children.
ADDRESSES OF HOMAGE TO THE CHRIST Chill D
The Great Truth of Christ. Coming Earth i. Preached
tothe People by Representation of Groupin
Bethlehem Manger.

compensated for the crude setting and
tho clumsy acting.
What we have lost in tho realr1
Of literature III these old moral,tS
and miracle plays would be diAlcalt
to estimate. They must have poss
sessed some power III order to hold
their audiences as long as they we're
played. '..
They had become part OF the life
OF the people and impressed moral
truths OH the popular mind mere
deeply than any other means at the
disposal of the age. The wonderful
spectacle, witnessed every tenth year,
in tho Bavarian village, drawing thou-
sands OF visitors from every part Of
Europe and even from distant Amer
lea is an illuminating example Of
what these plays have signified eor
the Church some centuries ago.
True to her traditions. the Church
still charms the senses as well a.
convinces the intellect Of man. The
great truth Of Christ's coming to
earth Is preached to the people and
Is represented by figures forming the
group which was gathered in the cave
at Bethlehem.
In this grotto. made moro realistic
by its surrounding Of rocks. is a fie-
ure Of the Blessed Virgin, looking
with tenderness at the child Jesus ly-
ing upon the straw in q rough and
simple lnanger. Reverent and sol-
emn in the back ground, resting upon
his staff is st. Joseph, the protector
OF those whom God has entrusted
to his charge. Lying in tho straw
but looking at this unusual spectacle
with wondering eyes arc the OK and
the ass, uncomprchending. yet unrs>
sentful OF this intrusion.
1t Is but a simple Christmas CRIB.
yet it contains the whole story Of tho
beginning Of mans redemption and
the eager throngs, which crowd
around it all during tho octave Of
Christmas is ample evidence OF its
power to draw all hearts to the CON-
sideration of this wonderful mystery.
At this towering rough brown
Church, now under tho charge Of the
sons. Of st. Francis, the most elabor.
ate crib in the entire city may bs
seen. While the principal figures ad-
NIT Of little change, there is a rich-
ness in the back ground which de.
lights the eye with it's beauty ana De.
tail.
4 pastoral scene, depicted with all
the charm Of rustic simplicity. acts
a.; a background for the cave and it's
occupants. Here green slopes stretch,
away to tho horizon and mountains
raise their heads against the sky
Shepherds calmly play their pipes be-
meath the spreading tree, while all
around, In deep contentment the sheep
Craze in the green pasture. trusting
Ill tue pTOtcCLlOH OIL tHe WatC1Iul
shepherds. The fountain and the lit
tic. stream are discernible and here
and there women with large baskets
OF fruit on their heads, wend their
way to their homes.
High in the scenic sky, with benign
approval Of all these things, God the
Father is seen. seated amid cloud
OF angelic spirits who chant His prals-
es and magnify His glory. So pathet-
ically simple is this representation
that all day long from Christmas un.
til Twelfth Night, the multitude sur
rounding this attractive place makes
near approach practically imoossi.
BILE. Many settle themselves com.
fortably and remain for hours quietly
gazing at the spectacle which satis-
fies every desire of their hearts.
learning anew what the salvation Of
their soul has cost in suffering and
privation. Z,
In many Of the. private homes
throughout the city. this $3.50 3