e in the snow,
stood a number of little children holding golden harps and lutes in
their hands, and dressed in sparkling, silver robes.

Full of wonder at this sight, Valentine and Marie continued to gaze out
at the window, when they heard a sound behind them, and turning saw the
stranger Child standing near. He was clad in a golden garment, and wore
a glistening, golden crown upon his soft hair. Sweetly he spoke to the
children:--

"I am the Christ Child, who wanders about the world seeking to bring
joy and good things to loving children. Because you have lodged me this
night I will leave with you my blessing."

As the Christ Child spoke He stepped from the door, and breaking off
a bough from a fir tree that grew near, planted it in the ground,
saying:--

"This bough shall grow into a tree, and every year it shall bear
Christmas fruit for you."

Having said this He vanished from their sight, together with the
silver-clad, singing children--the angels.

And, as Valentine and Marie looked on in wonder, the fir bough grew, and
grew, and grew, into a stately Christmas Tree laden with golden apples,
silver nuts, and lovely toys. And after that, every year at Christmas
time, the Tree bore the same wonderful fruit.

And you, dear boys and girls, when you gather around your richly
decorated trees, think of the two poor children who shared their bread
with a stranger child, and be thankful.

SAINT CHRISTOPHER

A GOLDEN LEGEND

ENGLISHED BY WILLIAM CAXTON (ADAPTED)

Christopher was a Canaanite, and he was of a right great stature, twelve
cubits in height, and had a terrible countenance. And it is said that as
he served and dwelled with the King of Canaan, it came in his mind that
he would seek the greatest prince that was in the world, and him would
he serve and obey.

So he went forth and came to a right great king, whom fame said was the
greatest of the world. And when the king saw him he received him into
his service, and made him to dwell in his court.

Upon a time a minstrel sang before him a song in which he named oft the
devil. And the king, who was a Christian, when he heard him name the
devil, made anon the sign of the cross.

And when Christopher saw that he marveled, and asked what the sign might
mean. And because the king would not say, he said: "If thou tell me not,
I shall no longer dwell with thee."

And then the King told him, saying: "Alway when I hear the devil named
make I this sign