Trench_.

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LITTLE DROPS OF WATER

Little drops of water,
Little grains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean,
And the pleasant land.

Then the little minutes,
Humble though they be,
Make the mighty ages
Of eternity.
--_Ebenezer Cobham Brewer_.

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CHRISTMAS HYMNS

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[Illustration]
THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE SHEPHERDS
By Bernard Plockhorst (1825- )

"And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field,
and keeping watch by night over their flock. And an angel of the
Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about
them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Be
not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which
shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the
city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this is the
sign unto you; Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,
and lying in a manger.'

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly
host praising God, and saying,--

'Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased.'"
--_Luke 2:8-14_

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CHRISTMAS LULLABY

Sleep, baby, sleep. The mother sings:
Heaven's angels kneel and fold their wings.
Sleep, baby, sleep!

With swaths of scented hay Thy bed
By Mary's hand at eve was spread.
Sleep, baby, sleep!

At midnight came the shepherds, they
Whom seraphs wakened by the way.
Sleep, baby, sleep!

And three kings from the East afar,
Ere dawn, came, guided by the star.
Sleep, baby, sleep!

They brought Thee gifts of gold and gems,
Pure orient pearls, rich diadems.
Sleep, baby, sleep!

But Thou who liest slumbering there,
Art King of kings, earth, ocean, air.
Sleep, baby, sleep!

Sleep, baby, sleep. The shepherds sing:
Through heaven, through earth, hosannas ring.
Sleep, baby, sleep!
--_John Addington Symonds_.

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THE STAR

They followed the star the whole night through;
As it moved with the midnight, they moved, too;
And cared not whither it led, nor knew,
Till Christmas day in the morning.

We have followed the star a whole long year,
And watched it beckon, now faint, now clear,
And now it stands st