"Hang up your stocking, to be sure, for Santa Claus to fill it with presents." The Judge's wife looked with astonishment upon the child by her side. It was impossible for her to imagine what was meant.
"I never heard of such a thing," she replied. Then Ruth enlightened her.
"You know that Jesus was born on the twenty-fifth of December?"
"Yes, my child."
"And you know God gave him to the world?"
"Yes."
"Well, don't you think it's nice for us to give things to each other on that day? and don't you believe that Santa Claus comes down the chimney and brings us lots of presents?"
"Why, I never thought of it." And the dear old lady began to think a good deal about it.
"We keep it right here in church too. We have a Christmas-tree, and sing carols, and all the children get presents and candy, and ever so many nice things; and everybody is just as happy as can be. Don't you think that is a nice way to remember the coming of Jesus and God's gift to all of us?"