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[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE NATIVITY

"Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes, Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated, The bird of dawning singeth all night long; And then, they say, no spirit can walk abroad; The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike; No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm; So hallowed and so gracious is the time."

--_Shakespeare_.

[End ill.u.s.tration]

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THE CHRISTMAS TREE

There's a wonderful tree, a wonderful tree, The happy children rejoice to see, Spreading its branches year by year, It comes from the forest to flourish here; Oh! this beautiful tree, with its branches wide, Is always blooming at Christmas-tide.

'T is not alone in the summer's sheen Its boughs are broad and its leaves are green, It blooms for us when the wild winds blow, And earth is white with feathery snow: And this wonderful tree with its branches wide, Bears many a gift for the Christmas-tide.

'T is all alight with its tapers' glow, That flash on the shining eyes below, And the strange sweet fruit on each laden bough Is all to be plucked by the gatherers now.

Oh! this wonderful tree, with its branches wide, We hail it with joy at the Christmas-tide.

And a voice is telling, its boughs among, Of the shepherds' watch and angels' song; Of a holy babe in a manger low, The beautiful story of long ago, When a radiant star threw its beams so wide To herald the earliest Christmas-tide.

Then spread thy branches, wonderful tree, And bring some dainty gift to me, And fill my heart with a burning love To Him who came from His home above-- From His beautiful home with the glorified, To give us the joys of the Christmas-tide.

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL

It chanced upon the merry, merry Christmas eve I went sighing past the church, across the moorland dreary,-- "Oh! never sin and want and woe this earth will leave, And the bells but mock the wailing round, they sing so cheery.

How long, O Lord, how long, before Thou come again?

Still in cellar, and in garret, and on moorland dreary, The orphans moan, and widows weep, and poor men toil in vain, Till the earth is sick of hope deferred, though Christmas bells be cheery."

Then arose a joyous clamor from the wild fowl on the mere, Beneath the stars, across the snow, like clear bells ringing, And a voice within cried, "Listen! Christmas carols even here!

Though thou be dumb, yet o'er their work the stars and snows are singing.

Blind! I live, I love, I reign; and all the nations through With the thunder of my judgments even now are ringing; Do thou fulfill thy work, but as yon wild fowl do, Thou wilt heed no less the wailing yet hear through it angels'

singing."

--_Charles Kingsley_.

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[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE HOLY FAMILY By Carl Mueller

"Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child, Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled, Within my heart that it may be, A quiet chamber kept for Thee.

"My heart for very joy doth leap, My lips no more can silence keep; I, too, must sing with joyful tongue That sweetest ancient cradle song."

--_Martin Luther_ [End ill.u.s.tration]

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SONG OF THE ANGELS

While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down; And glory shone around.

"Fear not," said he, for mighty dread Had seized their troubled minds; "Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind.

"To you, in David's town, this day, Is born of David's line, The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord; And this shall be the sign:

"The heavenly babe you there shall find To human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swathing bands And in a manger laid."

Thus spoke the seraph, and forthwith Appeared a shining throng Of angels, praising G.o.d, and thus Addressed their joyful song:

"All glory be to G.o.d on high, And to the earth be peace; Good-will henceforth from heaven to men Begin, and never cease."

--_Ancient Christmas Song_.

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CAROL, SWEETLY CAROL

Carol, sweetly carol, A Saviour born to-day; Bear the joyful tidings, Oh, bear them far away!

Carol, sweetly carol, Till earth's remotest bound Shall hear the mighty chorus, And echo back the sound.

CHORUS.

Carol, sweetly carol, Carol sweetly to-day; Bear the joyful tidings, Oh, bear them far away.

Carol, sweetly carol, As when the angel throng, O'er the vales of Judah, Awoke the heavenly song: Carol, sweetly carol, Good will, and peace, and love, Glory in the highest To G.o.d who reigns above.

Carol, sweetly carol, The happy Christmas time: Hark! the bells are pealing Their merry, merry chime: Carol, sweetly carol, Ye shining ones above, Sing in loudest numbers, Oh, sing redeeming love!

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[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE COMING OF THE MAGI

"'What means this glory round our feet,'

The Magi mused, 'more bright than morn?'

And voices chanted, clear and sweet, 'To-day the Prince of Peace is born.'"

--_James Russell Lowell_

"Lo! star-led chiefs a.s.syrian odors bring, And bending Magi seek their Infant King."

--_Heber_ [End ill.u.s.tration]