such a merry time as they had playing in the white
drifts! But I wonder if any of them knew what the snow really came for,
and how glad dear Mother Nature was because her babies were sleeping
safe and warm under the downy snowflake blankets.

The First Christmas

Once there lay a little baby
Sleeping in the fragrant hay,
And this lovely infant stranger
Brought our first glad Christmas day.

Shepherds on the hillside, watching
Over wandering flocks at night,
Heard a strange, sweet strain of music,
Saw a clear and heavenly light.

Listened to the angels' story:--
How, in David's town so still,
Slept the infant King of Glory,
Dreaming of sweet peace, good will.

And a star of radiant splendor
Led them where the baby lay,
Lowly cradled in a manger,
On that far-off Christmas day.

Though that day was long ago,
Every child throughout the earth
Loves to hear each year the story
Of the gentle Christ Child's birth.

And they seem to see the beauty
Of the eastern star again;
And repeat the angels' chorus:
"Peace on earth, good will to men."

The Christmas Star

Long, long ago, in the blue sky above the hills of Bethlehem, twinkled
the stars. Very early in the morning they would sing together and would
tell each other of what they had seen during the long night.

They used to watch the shepherds guarding their flocks upon the
hillsides, and one bright evening star that looked down upon the
earth earlier than the others, would tell stories of little children
whispering their prayers at the twilight hour. One wintry night a new
star came to visit the other stars. It was so radiant that its rays
shone upon the gray hills and made them light as day. It had come on
a wonderful errand. The shepherds saw it and were frightened at its
strange brightness; but an angel came to them and said: "Do not be
afraid; the star has come to bring you good, tidings of great joy, and
to show you the place where a little babe is born,--a little babe whose
name is Jesus, and who will give peace and joy to the whole world."

Then the shepherds heard some singing,--beautiful singing, for a great
many angels had come to tell the good news; and the star grew larger and
brighter, it was so gl