December 20, 1545

On this Sunday, the 20th of December in 1545, the sun rose over the hills and towns of Germany as it always had. In the city of Heidelberg its rays reflected off the river, illuminating the majestic steeple of the Church of the Holy Spirit, while a little farther up the hill the towers of a mighty castle rose up out of the morning mist. It was an impressive sight. But the residents of Heidelberg were used to seeing such things. They gathered into the streets—as they always had, to come to...