A Warm Welcome to Christmas

As I lay in my bed, the frost upon the windowe, speke no more of colde, for the thought of Crystemasse did chauffe *my hart as a spitfire* (a hot coal on a spit), so that it did not fayle to perced the glas. And thus, my hart burning, I did arryse, putte my cloak about me, and did walke towards the kychne, to partake of somwhat to forwhyte [breakfast] my hunger.

Upon mine arryve at the kyrchne dais, (so high was my spirite), I did behold thereupon the Christmas towre, such as had ben sett vp the day beforw, as high and stately as any spire of the kyrchne. It was of grene boowes and holly, as though a verray Iuly day with in the yere. And as I did loke upon it, so fayer, so frē, I thought the angell Gabriel had stowne [stolen] it from the top of the Almayne kyrchne, to bring frō heuen his sownde [sound]. This did make me marueil, and I sayde to my self, "Welcome, Crystemasse, as welcome as the glocestre in the kyrchne."

As I lay in my bed, the frost upon the window, spoke no more of cold, for the thought of Christmas warmed my heart like a spitfire (a hot coal on a spit), so that it did not fail to pierce the glass. And thus, my heart burning, I arose, put my cloak about me, and walked towards the kitchen, to partake of something to satisfy my hunger.

Upon my arrival at the kitchen dais, (so high was my spirit), I beheld there the Christmas tower, such as had been set up the day before, as high and stately as any spire of the church. It was adorned with green boughs and holly, as though a true July day within the year. And as I looked upon it, so fair and so free, I thought that the angel Gabriel had stolen it from the top of the German church to bring from heaven its sound. This made me marvel, and I said to myself, "Welcome, Christmas, as welcome as the glockenspiel in the church."