How sweetly Joel slept!  When he awoke, the sunlight streamed in through the window and seemed to bid him a merry Christmas.  How contented and happy Joel felt!  It must have been the talk with Santa Claus that did it all; he had never known a sweeter sense of peace.  A little girl came out of the house over the way.  She had a new doll in her arms, and she sang a merry little song and she laughed with joy as she skipped along the street.  Ay, and at the window sat the little sick boy, and the toy Santa Claus left him seemed to have brought him strength and health, for his eyes sparkled and his cheeks glowed, and it was plain to see his heart was full of happiness.

And, oh! how the chimes did ring out, and how joyfully they sang their Christmas carol that morning!  They sang of Bethlehem and the manger and the Babe; they sang of love and charity, till all the Christmas air seemed full of angel voices.

    Carol of the Christmas morn—­
      Carol of the Christ-child born—­
    Carol to the list’ning sky
      Till it echoes back again
      “Glory be to God on high,
      Peace on earth, good will tow’rd men!”

So all this music—­the carol of the chimes, the sound of children’s voices, the smile of the poor little boy over the way—­all this sweet music crept into Joel’s heart that Christmas morning; yes, and with these sweet, holy influences came others so subtile and divine that in its silent communion with them, Joel’s heart cried out amen and amen to the glory of the Christmas time.

THE THREE KINGS OF COLOGNE

    From out Cologne there came three kings
      To worship Jesus Christ, their King. 
    To Him they sought fine herbs they brought,
      And many a beauteous golden thing;
    They brought their gifts to Bethlehem town,
    And in that manger set them down.

    Then spake the first king, and he said: 
      “O Child, most heavenly, bright, and fair! 
    I bring this crown to Bethlehem town
      For Thee, and only Thee, to wear;
    So give a heavenly crown to me
    When I shall come at last to Thee!”

    The second, then.  “I bring Thee here
      This royal robe, O Child!” he cried;
    “Of silk ’tis spun, and such an one
      There is not in the world beside;
    So in the day of doom requite
    Me with a heavenly robe of white!”

    The third king gave his gift, and quoth: 
      “Spikenard and myrrh to Thee I bring,
    And with these twain would I most fain
      Anoint the body of my King;
    So may their incense sometime rise
    To plead for me in yonder skies!”

    Thus spake the three kings of Cologne,
      That gave their gifts, and went their way;
    And now kneel I in prayer hard by
      The cradle of the Child to-day;
    Nor crown, nor robe, nor spice I bring
    As offering unto Christ, my King.