Page:Historical Works of Venerable Bede vol. 2.djvu/124

§ 46. But when the Lord's day was come, whilst he was preaching the word of God to the brethren of the same monastery, the sermon being finished, he began again to teach his Hstening congregation, as follows:—"I beseech you, my beloved, according to the admonitions of the Apostle, to watch, remain steadfast in the faith, act manfully, and be comforted, that no temptation may find you unprepared, but rather that you may be always mindful of the precept of the Lord himself, 'Watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation'" But some thought he said this because a pestilence had not long before afflicted them and many others with a great mortality, and that he spoke of this scourge being about to return. But he, resuming his discourse, said, "When I formerly lived alone in my island, some of the brethren came to me on the day of the Holy Nativity, and asked me to go out of my cabin and solemnize with them this joyful and hallowed day. Yielding to their prayers, I went out and we sat down to feast. But, in the middle of the banquet, I suddenly said to them, I beseech you, brethren, let us act cautiously and watchfully, lest, perchance, through carelessness and a sense of security, we be led into temptation. But they answered, 'We entreat you, let us spend a joyful day now, for it is the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ!' To which I agreed. Some time after this, when we were indulging ourselves in eating, merriment, and conversation, I again began to admonish them that we should be solicitous in prayer and watchfulness, and ever prepared to meet all temptations. But they replied, 'You teach well; nevertheless, as the days of fasting, watching, and prayer are numerous, let us to-day rejoice in the Lord.' For the Angel manifested great joy to the shepherds when the Lord was born, and told them that it was a day to be celebrated by all people! 'Well,' said I, 'let us do so.'But when I repeated the words of the same admonition the third time, they perceived that I would not have