—­F.R.  Havergal.

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS.

  Where love takes, let love give, and so doubt not: 
      Love counts but the will,
  And the heart has its flowers of devotion
      No winter can chill;
  They who cared for “good will” that first Christmas
      Will care for it still.

—­A.A.  Procter.

ONCE A YEAR.

  At Christmas play and make good cheer,
  For Christmas comes but once a year.

—­Tusser.

OLD ENGLISH SONG.

  When Rosemary and Bays, the poet’s crown,
  Are bawled in frequent cries through all the town,
  Then judge the festival of Christmas near,—­
  Christmas, the joyous period of the year! 
  Now with bright holly all the temples are strow;
  With Laurel green and sacred Mistletoe.

OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS.

  Old Father Christmas is passing by,
  His cheeks are ruddy, he’s bright of eye;
  His beard is white with the snows of time. 
  His brow is hoary with frost and rime. 
  It’s little he cares for the frost and the cold,
  For old Father Christmas he never grows old.

EVERGREEN AND HOLLY.

  Bring the evergreens and holly,
    Bring the music and the song,
  Chase away the melancholy,
  By the pleasures bright, and jolly,
    Which to Christmas time belong.

—­E.O.  Peck

* * * * *

=Christmas Dolls.=

By ELIZABETH J. ROOK.

Children come skipping in, singing: 

  “Here we come with our Christmas dolls
  Christmas dolls, Christmas dolls,
  Here we come with our Christmas dolls,
    Wouldn’t you like to see them?”

(Tune—­“Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush.”)

The children then form a semi-circle on the stage, and each one steps to the front as she gives her recitation, and then back to her place again.

First Child: 

  This is my Christmas dolly;
    Her name is French—­Celeste;
  And of my many children,
    She is the very best. 
  This dress, you see, is finest silk,
    Her shoes are dainty kid,
  And underneath this cunning hat
    Her pretty curls are hid. 
  And do I love my precious doll? 
    Well, I just guess I do (hugging it)! 
  I’ll love her even when she’s old
    As well as while she’s new.

Second Child: 

  When I awoke on Christmas morn
    I jumped right out of bed,
  And ran into the nursery,
    And not a word I said,
  Until I saw my Christmas tree,
    And then I laughed in glee;
  For on it hung this pretty doll;
    I knew it was for me,
  And so I took it in my arms
    And kissed its lovely face. 
  And then I said, “Now, dolly dear,
    I’m going to call you Grace.”