“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)