Deeds of Faith and Charity;
These our offerings be,
Leading every soul to sing,
Christ was born for me!”
The poor, little, happy, wondering children listened in delight, as the music seemed to hover and float on wings over the heads of the people, losing itself at last in the upper air.
And, all the while, the beautiful Christmas Tree stood glittering with its little candles, its green branches stripped of everything but their straight pine needles.
Miss Pike looked up from the children’s happy faces to the Christmas Tree, and her soul was stirred with awe. For the Christ-child on the topmost bough seemed alive; and behold how large he grew, how grand and beautiful! It was as if the heaven of heavens could not contain him: yet he was there in that very room, and she beheld him! His arms were extended in blessing, his lips moved, and in a still, small voice, as if it fell from the sky, she heard him say once more: “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
SOPHIE MAY’S “LITTLE-FOLK’S” BOOKS.