And the angel said unto them:
"Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest,
On earth peace, good will toward men."
Ezra, strengthened by Eli's arm which did not waver, ventured to open his eyes.
He saw a brilliant whiteness, clear as crystal, that seemed to light the world from end to end. High above, the sky was filled with clouds of rose and amber and amethyst. All the glories of sunrise and of sunset were mingled there.
Did he catch a flutter of white pinions? Did he glimpse a Leader, majestic, terrible, yet radiant with gracious love?
Even as he stared, unable to move, the song grew fainter, the colors faded and vanished.
The echo of the angels' song rang in his ears. To his dying day it would haunt his memory.