Earth is reconciled through divine grace. The Mediator God-Man descends amongst his own, that guilty man may ascend to lost joys.
Let us go over, let us see this word that is come to pass.
Let us go over, that we may learn what has been announced.
In Judæa an infant cries
An Infant, the salvation of his people,
By whom the ancient enemy of the world foresees he must be warred upon.
Let us approach, let us approach the cradle of our Lord,
And let us sing: Praise to the fruitful Virgin.)
A crib has been arranged at the extreme end of the choir, containing the figure of the divine Infant and our Blessed Lady. It is surrounded by women, to whom naturally is given the charge of watching over the Virgin Mother and her new-born Babe. Towards this crib the shepherds wend their way, passing beneath the carved rood-screen through the open portals of the choir. Two priests advance to meet them, and greet them with the following versicle: “Quem quæritis in præsepio, pastores, dicite?”—“Whom seek ye in this manger, shepherds, tell us?”
They reply: “Salvatorem Christum Dominum infantem pannis involutum secundum sermonem angelicum”—“Christ our Lord and Saviour, an infant wrapped in swaddling-clothes, according to the word of the angel.”