midnight
The weather is beautiful . The stars shine as brightly tonight as if they were the lights about His throne ; the very earth has decked herself in her clear and spotless robe of snow in His honour . As for the dear ones who were with us last Christmas -- Bertric , Alfgar -LRB- for I fear he is gone where I hope he keeps a happier Christmas -RRB- -- they have left the heart less lonely , for if we miss them on earth they seem to attract us to heaven , which is yet more like home when we think of the loved and the lost who await us there . We sing a midnight mass in an hour in the little church , another tomorrow at dawn , a third in the full daylight . All the good people here will communicate , and the evening will be given up to such merrymaking as is befitting amongst Christians . All the ceorls and serfs will be at the Hall , and the prince will share the entertainment . Herstan and Bertha have been very busy preparing for it , as also their children , Hermann , Ostryth , and Aelfleda .