[The First Christmas]
Listen, dear littlest children, and you shall hear about the very first Christmas Day.
In a country across the sea, far away from here, shepherds were watching their flocks one night. The sheep were resting on the grass, the little lambs were fast asleep beside their mothers, but the kind shepherds were not asleep. They were watching that no harm should happen to the sheep.
Perhaps they were looking up at the stars and the beautiful moon above them, when suddenly there appeared a wonderful light in the sky, brighter than the moon or stars, as if the sky had opened and they saw the glory within.
And while they stood there, looking up, wondering what was the cause of that strange light, a beautiful, shining angel came near to them and said:
"Fear not. I bring you good tidings which shall be to all people. This day is born a Saviour, and ye shall find the babe lying in a manger."
Suddenly a multitude of the heavenly host joined the angel in singing praises to God.
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
Peace, good will toward men."
When the angels had gone back to heaven the shepherds said they would go to Bethlehem and see this Saviour of whom the angels sang. They went, and found Him, a little baby, in a stable, with no cradle to lie in; only a manger for His bed. That little baby was Jesus, who when He grew up said:
"Let the little children come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." His birthday was the first Christmas Day, and ever since that time we keep that day as a joyful and happy one.