Árdís - 01.01.1950, Page 19

Ársrit Bandalags lúterskra kvenna
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Down from the summit of the hill came a group of people.
Grief stricken men carried their burden, led by Nicodemus and
Joseph of Arimathea. As they neared the tomb the lillies lifted
their heads in happy recognition. They knew him well, Joseph had
so often walked in this garden.
Carefully, silently, the body they carried, was laid on a ledge
in the tomb. Linens and vessels of oils and spices were taken by
Nicodemus and carried into the tomb. Soldiers came and drove the
men and weeping women away and with great difficulty, pushed a
huge stone into the opening and closed the entrance to the tomb.
One came forward and placed the seal of state upon the stone.
Joseph and his friends walked reluctantly away, leaving the soldiers
in charge.
The guards talked and laughed, but soon, in weariness quietened
and rested on their swords. The chill mist of night swept about
them and time moved slowly to gray and gloomy dawn.
The lily bed had been trampled ruthlessly and the drooping
blooms rested their bruised heads in the soft, sodden earth. Their
short stems were broken and tattered leaves hung limply.
The guards were replaced and the weary hours of a dreary
day passed slowly by.
Night shades crept over the hills and sleep wove it’s spell
over all. Rocks and trees stood guard against the blue of the sky,
now filled with stars.
The one lily that had escaped the heels of soldiers, nodded
drowsily. Suddenly it looked up. The air was filled with a radiance,
a brightness different from all other light. A shimmering mist
brushed the dew laden grasses and left in their wake a soft ligbt.
Guards sprang up and saw the stone roll gently away from
the entrance of the tomb. They covered their eyes as from a blinding
light and panting in fear, ran swiftly down the path toward the city.
Birds twittered as at dawn and light penetrated the darkened
shadows. He that had been carried into the tomb, stood in the
entrance, enveloped in radiance. He looked about and as He passed
the bed of broken, faded lillies, bent down and carressed them
lovingly.
The trampled flowers raised their bruised heads and beheld
the glory. They felt the healing touch and trembled as their stalks
straightened and their torn leaves healed and expanded. The lowly