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398 SKETCHES.
yard between the silent graves, which during the night
had been covered with a thick mantle of snow.
“Do you remember, children,” she said, while slowly
walking forward, “what I have told you abont the Christ-
mas matins, and why we have Christmas matins?”
“ Yes,” said little Pehr; “it is, it is — because ” —
“ Because our Lord and Redeeiner was born on the
Christmas night,” said little Maja.
“ And do you remember,” continued the mother, “ what
I have told you about Him, and of the good which He has
done to us and to all mankind?”
“He has taught us” — stammered the children, uncer-
tain what words they should use.
“ Yes, dearest children,” said the mother, “ I cannot tell
you all that He has done for us, for it is more than either
you or [can understand. Recollect only, that He has lived
and died for us; that He has revealed to us God’s heart
and God’s will with us; and that without Him we should
not know God as He is, nor have any certain hope of an
hereafter. He came to this earth to make us understand
God’s love and to teach us to love God.”
“ And is it His birth which we celebrate in the Christ-
mas matins ?” asked little Maja.
“Yes,” said the mother. “ He is the light of the world;
and He has made life light for us, and therefore we light
candles on His birthday.”
And just then they entered the church, and the whole
congregation sang,—“All hail! ye radiant morning hours!”
But the children did not think of the singing.
They could only stare and be astonished. There was so
mucli light, so much light! They could scarcely see any
thing for all the light. The four large chandeliers which
were hanging over the middle aisle were quite full of can-
dies, and on the altar candles were burning in large
candelabra. There was a long row of candles along the
gallery, and on the walls were gilt sconces carrying whole
t
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