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The Rudolf Steiner Archive

a project of Steiner Online Library, a public charity

The Festivals and Their Meaning I:
Christmas

Christmas Meditation

In der Zeiten Wende
Trat das Welten-Geistes-Licht
In den irdischen Wesenstrom;
Nacht-Dunkel hatte ausgewalte;
Taghelle Licht erstrahlte in Menschenseelen; Licht, das erwärmet die armen Hirtenherzen;
Licht, das erleuchtet die weisen Königshäupter.

Göttliches Licht, Christus-Sonne
Erwärme unsere Herzen;
Erleuchte unsere Häupter;
Dass gut werde,
Was wir aus Herzen gründen,
Was wir aus Häuptern
führen wollen.

At the turning-point of time,
The Spirit-Light of the World
Entered the stream of Earthly Evolution.
Darkness of Night had held its sway;
Day-radiant Light poured into the souls of men,
Light that gave warmth to simple shepherds' hearts,
Light that enlightened the wise heads of kings.

O Light Divine! O Sun of Christ!
Warm Thou our hearts,
Enlighten Thou our heads,
That good may become
What from our hearts we would found
And from our heads direct
With single purpose.

Rudolf Steiner, Christmas, 1923.