Ellie's eyes sparkled

"Everyone knows that one!"

The maid closed her eyes, shutting out the world around her. In her mind's eye, she was now in a chapel bathed in the warm light of a hundred candles, and the warmth of the body of community stood there. It was the rich darkness of yuletide. Filled with joy, Ellie started to sing:

"O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep"

The memory of everyone she knew singing loud enough to shake the dust from rafters, just added to the mental picture.

"The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight

For Christ is born of Mary"