Evening star., 1936-12-20


glass and sculptured stone has
been delineated for the ages in
the Bethlehem Chapel OF the
Washington Cathedral. If; at this sea-
son Of the year. you would recapture
something Of its rich symbolism, be-
take yourself for brief respite to the
calm beauty and repose OF this chapel,
which is. the Variable cradle of the
Cathedral itself.
Here apart from that hurrying con-
fusion which increasingly hedges
about our twentieth century celebra-
tions Of the birth Of Christ. you will
find "the hopes and fears of all the
years" slipping away from you. Once
again in fancy you will glimpse "the
everlasting light which shone above
Bethlehem in Judea." Reverent shep-
herds watching their fiocks by night
catch its gleam, as the herald angels
sing. Wise men hurrying from afar in
fulfillment Of Old Testament prophecy
are guided by the magic of the won-
derful star to the place where they
may lay their precious gifts "at the
feet of Him whom they called Jesus -
The oldest of all the chapels in the
Cathedral, the Bethlehem Chapel was
the first to be used as a place of wor-
ship in the year 1912, now almost q
quarter Of a century ago. Literally
the keystone OF the Cathedral. its
foundation stone, laid 20 years ago in
the year 1907, was brought from the
field of the shepherds on the outskirts
of ancient Bethlehem. 1t bears this
inscription: The word was made
flesh and dwelt among U.S.
10000 Attended Dedication.
Placed within a block of American
granite it was set into place at a dedi-
cation service which was attended by
q congregation Of nearly 10000 per-
sons who were addressed by President
Theodore Roosevelt in one of the most
outstanding speeches of his notable
career.
Fittingly over the stone doorway
which gives entrance to Bethlehem
Chapel is the command from Holy
Scripture, Thou shalt call his name
Jesus" This was the message which
Mary received from the angel when he
revealed to her that she was to be the
mother of our Lord.
Upon the inner archway over this
same entrance is inscribed this portion
of the later revelation of the angel of
the Lord to Joseph: For He shall
save His people from their sins"
From its foundation stone to its
highest arch, the Bethlehem Chapel
tells the story of the birth of Christ.
Fashioned after the early fourteenth
century type Of Gothic architecture. it
was the first expression Of that SYM
bolism which has inspired every por-
tion of the building of the Washington
Cathedral. Its vaultings in the words
of the old hymn carry our thoughts
"highward and Skyward" with the
pointed line of their archings. The
carved bosses which center these vault
ings are unique in that they are
carved from the substance of the stone
itself, at the intersection of the ribs
of the vaultings. They variously repre-
sent the passion flower. the grape. the
acanthus, the oak and acorn and the
thorn.
The altar and reredos in the Beth
lehem Chapel are soul-sattsfying in
their loveliness.
The central panel OF the reredos
above the altar represents the Nativity
of our Lord. With a sort of spiritual
intimacy there is reincarnated this
gospel phrase from Luke: For unto
you is born this day. in the City of
David. a Saviour, which is Christ the
Lord"
From Gods highest Heaven, che
rubin, seraphim, exalted archangels
and rererent kneeling ones of youthful
mien combine to joyously acclofm in
their songs of praise, the new born
Prince of Peace.
Mary Holds Christ Child.
Tenderly holding the Christ Child in
ner arms. Mary, His mother. is shown
seated upon one of the hangers crude
benches whose Jennings prophetically
typify cross. Facing the mother and
Holy Child, one particularly reverent
little angel carefully holds aside a fold
OF Mary's robe. so that all may more
rapturously gaze upon the face of the
infant Jesus. Upon the manger floor
at Mary's side is travellers bundle
still tightly tied, looking for all the
world as if it had slipped from Joseph's
staff as he perhaps hurriedly threw it
aside to more readily give aid to Mary
IN her hour of travail.
Surmounting this incredibly, ex-
quisite representation of the Nativity
is rich, vaulted canopy of almost
lace-like carving. Surrounding this is
still further carved enrichment with
lilies Of the field as its motif.
Slightly below this central Nativity
scene, four carved figures depict the
four evangelists, Matthew. Mark, Luke
and John, each with the characteristic
symbol associated with him in Bible
lore.