"It is a tired world, my brethren, and we are most of us tired men
and women who live on it, for we seek ever after some new thing.
Let us pass out through the gate into the Kingdom of Heaven and not
be tired any more, because there we shall find the new thing that
we seek. Heaven is on earth, the Kingdom is here and now; the gate
stands wide to-night, for it is the birthright of the Eternal
Child. We are none of us too poor, or stupid, or lowly; it was the
simple shepherds who saw Him first. We are none of us too great,
or learned, or rich; it was the three wise kings who came next and
offered gifts. We are none of us too young; it was little children
who first laid down their lives for Him; or too old, for Simeon saw
and recognised Him. There is only one thing against most of us--we
are too proud.

"My brethren, 'let us now go even to Bethlehem, and face this thing
which is come to pass, which the LORD hath made known unto us.'"


The lights were out in the church when the Recluse came to fetch
the Child. She was still kneeling by the creche, keeping watch
with the wonderful figures of fire and mist.

"Was THIS a dream or the other?" said the Child.

"Neither," said the Recluse, and he blessed her in the moonlit
dark.

The air was full of wonderful sound, voices and song, and the cry
of the bells.