midnight
The whiteness of the snow that covered the earth was lost in the haze of the horizon . They perceived , close to the ground , little lights , which , as they drew near , looked larger , all reaching up to the side of the church . Curiosity drove them to the spot . It was the midnight mass . These lights came from shepherds ' lanterns . Some of them were shaking their cloaks under the porch . The serpent snorted ; the incense smoked .