BETHLEHEM-TOWN

    As I was going to Bethlehem-town,
    Upon the earth I cast me down
    All underneath a little tree
    That whispered in this wise to me: 
    “Oh, I shall stand on Calvary
    And bear what burthen saveth thee!”

    As up I fared to Bethlehem-town,
    I met a shepherd coming down,
    And thus he quoth:  “A wondrous sight
    Hath spread before mine eyes this night,—­
    An angel host most fair to see,
    That sung full sweetly of a tree
    That shall uplift on Calvary
    What burthen saveth you and me!”

    And as I gat to Bethlehem-town,
    Lo! wise men came that bore a crown. 
    “Is there,” cried I, “in Bethlehem
    A King shall wear this diadem?”
    “Good sooth,” they quoth, “and it is He
    That shall be lifted on the tree
    And freely shed on Calvary
    What blood redeemeth us and thee!”

    Unto a Child in Bethlehem-town
    The wise men came and brought the crown;
    And while the infant smiling slept,
    Upon their knees they fell and wept;
    But, with her babe upon her knee,
    Naught recked that Mother of the tree,
    That should uplift on Calvary
    What burthen saveth all and me.

    Again I walk in Bethlehem-town
    And think on Him that wears the crown. 
    I may not kiss His feet again,
    Nor worship Him as did I then;
    My King hath died upon the tree,
    And hath outpoured on Calvary
    What blood redeemeth you and me!

[Illustration: 
    But, with her babe upon her knee,
    Naught recked that Mother of the tree.
]

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE

Once upon a time the forest was in a great commotion.  Early in the evening the wise old cedars had shaken their heads ominously and predicted strange things.  They had lived in the forest many, many years; but never had they seen such marvellous sights as were to be seen now in the sky, and upon the hills, and in the distant village.

“Pray tell us what you see,” pleaded a little vine; “we who are not as tall as you can behold none of these wonderful things.  Describe them to us, that we may enjoy them with you.”

“I am filled with such amazement,” said one of the cedars, “that I can hardly speak.  The whole sky seems to be aflame, and the stars appear to be dancing among the clouds; angels walk down from heaven to the earth, and enter the village or talk with the shepherds upon the hills.”

The vine listened in mute astonishment.  Such things never before had happened.  The vine trembled with excitement.  Its nearest neighbor was a tiny tree, so small it scarcely ever was noticed; yet it was a very beautiful little tree, and the vines and ferns and mosses and other humble residents of the forest loved it dearly.