e,"
'Cause she understands we can't,
When we're _"only boys."_

And she lets the girls play house,
In the garret old,
And when they strew things around,
Grandma doesn't scold.

But we ought to pick them up,
Even on Christmas day,
For we shouldn't make kind friends
Trouble with our play.

Yes, we love the Christmas time
Best of all the year,
We have waited for it long,
Now, at last, it's here.

* * * * *

=Christmas Wishes.=

By C. PHILLIPS.

(These couplets may be given by three primary children to open
Christmas program.)

_First child:_
Dear teachers and friends, allow me to say
That we wish you a very glad Christmas day.

_Second child:_
That our darling old "Santa," as sly as a fox,
May leave at your door both bundle and box.

_Third child:_
And that beautiful gifts for one and for all
From the evergreen boughs may happily fall!

* * * * *

=Christmas Morn.=

By M.N.B.

(Recitation and chorus. A semi-circle of primary children is
formed on the stage. They sing first verse of the familiar
church tune, "Joy to the World.")

_Chorus.--_
Joy to the world, the Lord has come,
Let earth receive her King,
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing.

_Recitation (one child steps forward).--_
In Bethlehem, the story goes,
A little Child was born,
Low in a manger He was laid
The first glad Christmas morn.

That Child is now our Saviour King,
Of Him we sing to-day;
And may glad bells o'er all the earth
Ring out a gladsome lay.

_Chorus.--_
Joy to the world, a Saviour reigns,
Let men their tongues employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and vales
Repeat the sounding joy.

* * * * *

=My Christmas Secrets.=

By S.C. PEABODY.

Hurry Christmas! How you creep,
I've some presents I can't keep,
Just this morning I forgot,
And told baby what I'd bought.

All he answered was, "Goo goo!"
So I don't think that he knew,
I told mamma hers was white,
And she'd wear it every night.

That she'd need it getting tea.
Then my mamma smiled at me,
And she whispered, "Isn't May
Letting secrets fly away?"

* * * *