in the direction in which the others were looking, I saw, standing
there upon that level place, a figure majestic and beautiful beyond
all the power of words to tell."

"Were you not afraid, grandfather?"

"Indeed, I was, my boy. My heart stopped beating. The others were
standing, but I had no power to rise. I lay there motionless upon the
earth. My eyes were fixed upon that wonderful face; upon those clear,
shining eyes; upon that brow that seemed to beam with the purity of
the soul within. It was not a smile with which that face was lighted.
It was something too noble and exalted to call by that name. It was a
look that told of power and peace, of joy and triumph."

"Did you know that it was an angel?"

"I knew not anything. I only knew that what I saw was glorious, too
glorious for mortal eyes to look upon. Yet, while I gazed, and in far
less time than I have now taken to tell you of what I saw, the
terribleness of the look began to disappear, the sweetness and grace
of the soul shone forth, and I had almost ceased to tremble before the
angel opened his mouth. And when he spoke, his voice, clearer than any
trumpet and sweeter than any lute, charmed away all my fears."

"'Be not afraid' he said, 'for behold I bring you good tidings of
great joy which shall be to all people. For there is born to you this
day, in the City of David, a Savior, which is Messiah, the King. And
this is the sign unto you. Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling
clothes and lying in a manger.'