1. Little taper set to-night,
Throw afar thy tiny light,
Up and down the darksome street,
Guide the tender wand'ring feet
Of the darling Christ Child sweet.
2. He is coming through the snow
As He came so long ago,
When the stars set o'er the hill,
When the town is dark and still,
Comes to do the Father's will.
3. Little taper, spread thy ray
Make His pathway light as day,
Let some door be open wide
For this guest of Christmas-tide,
Dearer than all else beside.
4. Little Christ Child come to me,
Let my heart Thy shelter be.
Such a home Thou wilt not scorn,
So the bells of Christmas morn
Glad shall ring, "A Christ is born."
Note: The air "Hearts and Flowers" can also be used for this song.
Gretel. Oh, do you think the little Christ-Child can see it now, Mother?
Mother. Yes, my darling. He can. And whether He comes wandering through the snowy forests or not, He loves to know that little children think of Him and try to please Him.
Hans. Gretel, I'm going out to see if the light shows outside. [Goes out of the door and peers in at the window. Gretel keeps the door open a crack to watch him.]
Hans [comes in and bends over the fire to warm his hands]. It sparkles on the snow just the way the moonlight does, and it's ever so much brighter than the stars. Do you believe it is as bright as the star of Bethlehem?
Gretel. Oh no! It couldn't be like that! There was never another star that shone like that.
Hans. Let me put another stick on the fire, Mother. If the little Christ-Child comes He will be so cold. [Puts on one or two sticks.]
Gretel. Oh, Hans, I'm afraid He will be hungry, too. Let's toast a piece of our loaf for Him.
Hans. Yes, let me toast it.