CHRISTMAS GIFTS
“Mother,” said Jack, “may I have some money to buy Christmas presents with?”
“Dear,” said his mother, “I have no money. We are very poor, and I can hardly buy food for us all.”
Jack hung his head; if he had not been ten the tears would have come to his eyes, but he was ten.
“All the other boys give presents!” he said.
“So shall you!” said his mother. “All presents are not bought with money. The best boy that ever lived was as poor as we are, and yet he was always giving.”
“Who was he?” asked Jack; “and what did he give?”
“This is his birthday,” said the mother. “He was the good Jesus. He was born in a stable, and he lived in a poor workingman’s house. He never had a penny of his own, yet he gave twelve good gifts every day. Would you like to try his way?”
“Yes!” cried Jack.
So his mother told him this and that; and soon after Jack started out, dressed in his best suit, to give his presents.
First, he went to Aunt Jane’s house. She was old and lame and she did not like boys.
“What do you want?” she asked as she opened the door.
“Merry Christmas!” said Jack. “May I stay for an hour and help you?”
“Humph!” said Aunt Jane. “Want to keep you out of mischief, do they? Well! you may bring in some wood.”
“Shall I split some kindling, too?” asked Jack.
“If you know how!” said Aunt Jane. “I can’t have you cutting your foot and messing my clean shed all up.”
Jack found some fresh pine wood and a bright hatchet, and he split up a great pile of kindling and thought it fun. He stacked it neatly, and then he brought in a pail of water and filled the kettle.
“What else can I do?” he asked. “There are twenty minutes more.”
“Humph!” said Aunt Jane. “You might feed the pig.”
Jack fed the pig, who thanked him in his own way.
“Ten minutes more!” he said. “What shall I do now?”
“Humph!” said Aunt Jane. “You may sit down and tell me why you came.”
“It is a Christmas present!” said Jack. “I am giving hours for presents. I had twelve, but I gave one to Mother, and another one was gone before I knew I had it. This hour was your present.”
“Humph!” said Aunt Jane. She hobbled to the cupboard and took out a small round pie that smelt very good. “Here!” she said. “This is your present, and I thank you for mine. Come again, will you?”
“Indeed I will!” said Jack, “and thank you for the pie!”
Next Jack went and read for an hour to old Mr. Green, who was blind. He read a book about the sea, and they both liked it very much, so the hour went quickly. Then it was time to help Mother get dinner, and then time to eat it; that took two hours, and Aunt Jane’s pie was wonderful. Then Jack took the Smith baby for a ride in its carriage, as Mrs. Smith was ill, and they met its grandfather, who filled Jack’s pockets with candy and popcorn and invited him to a Christmas Tree that night.
Next Jack went to see Willy Brown, who had been ill for a long time and could not leave his bed. Willy was very glad to see him; they played a game, and then each told the other a story, and before Jack knew it the clock struck six.
“Oh!” cried Jack. “You have had two!”
“Two what?” asked Willy.
“Two hours!” said Jack; and he told Willy about the presents he was giving. “I am glad I gave you two,” he said, “and I would give you three, but I must go and help Mother.”
“Oh, dear!” said Willy. “I thank you very much, Jack. I have had a perfectly great time, and it has driven the pain away; but I have nothing to give you.”
Jack laughed. “Why, don’t you see,” he cried, “you have given me just the same thing? I have had a great time, too.”
“Mother,” said Jack as he was going to bed, “I have had a splendid Christmas, but I wish I had had something to give you besides the hours.”
“My darling,” said his mother, “you have given me the best gift of all, yourself!”
“NOW THE DOORS WIDE OPEN THROW,
THAT WE INTO CHURCH MAY GO.”
CHURCH-BELLS
(Adapted from the German of Froebel. Air: “The Bells of Aberdovey”)
Through the window, sunbeams bright
Fill the church with radiant light.
Now the doors wide open throw,
That we into church may go.
Chorus. Ding-dong! ding-dong! hark, the bell!
Oh, lovely things to us ’twill tell,
As we walk to church together.
In the church so calm, so still,
Gentlest thoughts our heart must fill.
Lifted high, our spirit learns
Why with holy love it burns.
Chorus. Ding-dong! ding-dong! hark, the bell!
etc.
And we learn of Him who gives
Light and joy to all that lives:
He whose tender love and mild
Watches over every child.
Chorus. Ding-dong! ding-dong! hark, the bell!
etc.
He who made the forest fair,
And the flowers that blossom there,
Gave the bird its airy wings,
Gave the joyful song it sings.
Chorus. Ding-dong! ding-dong! hark, the bell!
etc.
And we learn of Jesus mild,
He the pure and sinless child,
Sent that children all may know
How a child in grace may grow.
Chorus. Ding-dong! ding-dong! hark, the bell!
etc.
Now the organ’s solemn voice
Joins the bell, and both rejoice.
Children, join the song of love!
Raise your hearts to Heaven above!
Chorus. Ding-dong! ding-dong! hark, the bell!
etc.
THE BIRD OF LIGHT
(Adapted from the German of Froebel)
A golden bird against the wall
Flutters and flits, and does not fall.
Birdie, let me hold you,
In my hands soft fold you!
No! the birdie flies away!
Will not, will not with me stay.
’Tis the sunshine bright, dear,
Makes the bird of light, dear.
Sunbeams gay and golden
Not by hands are holden.
’Tis our eyes that they delight,
Dancing, dancing, glad and bright.
Many lovely things we see
Cannot be touched by you or me.
Sun and moon and sky, too,
Floating clouds so high, too,
Purple shadows on the grass,
Rainbow gleams that shine and pass.
Can you catch the lovely song
Robin trills the whole day long?
Can you catch my smile, dear?
No! yet all the while, dear,
These are yours, and in your heart
All your life they’ll play their part.
THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS
(Adapted from the German of Froebel)
Five happy brothers and sisters here,
They love each other so dear, so dear!
The day’s work over, they seek their rest,
And sink to sleep like the birds in their nest.
Peaceful sleep, gentle sleep,
Mind and body strong will keep.
When the golden morn doth break,
Blithe and ready shall we wake.
But before they close their eyes,
Hear their evening prayer arise!
Praying God, their Father dear,
Still to watch their slumber here.
Peaceful sleep, gentle sleep,
Naught shall break thy calm so deep.
He who sends thee to our eyes,
Watches till the day shall rise.
Through the quiet starry night,
Through the day so long and bright,
God our Father’s tender care
Still is with us everywhere.
Peaceful sleep, gentle sleep!
Heavenly eyes their watch do keep.
Little child, so now shall you
Slumber, slumber softly too!
THE PIGEONS
(Adapted from the German of Froebel)
“Curuck! Curuck!” the pigeons come flying,
Flying, fluttering, here and there.
“Welcome! welcome!” let us be crying.
“Come, pretty pigeons, our meal to share.
Have no fear,
Corn and bread we’re throwing,
All for you,
Truly true,
Thus our love we’re showing.”
“Curuck! Curuck!” the pigeons are cooing.
“Thanks, little children, thanks to you!
From the good deed that now you’re doing,
Learn we that children are kind and true.
Free from fear,
See us here!
Each to each we call now,
‘Curuck! coo!
We and you,
Happy are we all now.’”