The first Christmas Eve, of course, was a very important event. The birthday of the Child called for 
the biggest celebration the heavenly hosts had ever had. Even the Carols, held in reserve for ages for 
some really special event, would be sung. 

The choir was to be one of Heaven's very best, with some exceptionally rich angelic tenors and 
basses brought in from the glee club to help out. All the stars had been rubbed with a special polish, 
and one brand-new star added just for the occasion. The Carols were quite puffed up with pride and 
excitement and they all promised solemnly to be on hand in plenty of time. 

On the great night, everything want off fine. The stars shone as they had never shone before; the 
angel choir outdid itself in songs of joy, and the Carols were a great success. There was only one 
little flaw, and hardly anyone even noticed it. One of the Carols didn't get there in time. 

In fact, it didn't get there at all. It was quite a sweet Carol, the angels singers told each other a little 
sadly. It had been a pity not to have sung it. 

The Carol was very penitent. It had stopped on the way, it explained vaguely. Something had got its 
attention , and it had stopped, and been late. Questioning by the choirmaster produced little more. 
The Carol got vaguer and vaguer as the questions became sharper and sharper. Only one thing it 
seemed sure of was that it would never happen again, the Carol promised. 

But it did, every year. And finally, when nearlytwenty long centuries had gone by with the last Carol 
still not sung, they brought the situation to the Throne Room. There they explained more in sorrow than

in anger, about the Carol that was always  late. Then, at a sign, they left, and the last Carol was 
summoned. The Last Carol was ashamed and frightened and hung its head as it stood in the Throne 
Room and explained with no more vagueness, why it had been late. 

Each year had been something different, it admitted. sometimes it had been a man in a dungeon. 
Often it had been men and women whose spirits had fallen low in the face of great obstacles, whose 
faith in love was almost extinguished and who could not join in the rejoicing over the Child's birthday. 

Always, explained the Carol simply, it had seemed important to stop with these for awhile, and 
somehow it had always meant being late. "But next year" began the Carol, but the voice from the 
Throne interrupted. 

"Next year, " said the Voice, "you will do as you have done. Next year and for many years to come. 
For you are the Carol that must be voiceless until all men sing together in a mighty chorus that covers 
the earth. Only in the hearts of men who have seen the vision," said the voice, "can you honor the 
Child, until all men love each other as He loved them. " 

"Then," said the Carol wistfully, "must I be silent forever? " "Not so, " said the Voice, and the full 
choir of angels had never sounded so richly majestic. "They flee from it in fear and greed, but with 
their fear there is a shame, and through their greed shines love. One day they will cast out their fear 
and let love lead them into the rich habitation I have prepared for them. then, " said the Voice, "all 
men will join in singing the sweetest carol of all ..

The song of universal brotherhood