To A Child At Christmas Time.

    Let working-clothes be laid aside,
And Industry in festal garb arrayed;
Let busy brain and hand from toil and trade
    Relax at Christmas-tide.

    As moments pass by dial, so
Let gifts go round the happy circle where
In giving and receiving each may share,
    And mutual kindness show.

    The meaning deep, like mystery,
That lies in holly-bough or mistletoe,
May thousands never fathom - yet who know
    And hail the Christmas-tree.

    So strong a hold on human thought
Has this glad day that seasons all the year
With the rich flavoring of hearty cheer,
    It ne'er shall be forgot.

    It is the milestone on life's road
Where we may lay our burdens down, and take
A look at souvenirs, for love's dear sake
    So pre...

"Little children, when rejoicing
    In the merry Christmas morn,
'Mid your sports remember ever
    'Tis the day that Christ was born.

"When on earth, the blessed Saviour
    Said, 'Let children come to me,'
And the little ones he folded
    In his arms, how tenderly!"

"But the Saviour is in heaven,
    And we cannot see him now;
We cannot receive his blessing,
    In his presence cannot bow."

"Listen. In the holy Bible,
    Jesus Christ tells every child
That the way to gain his blessing
    Is by being good and mild."

"Here on earth you may not see him;
    But when this short life is done,
You shall live with him forever
    Where there is no setting sun."

"So remember, Christmas morning,
    That on e...

    How sweet the brazen belfries chime
        Across the hills and through the dales,
        And o'er the breasts of meadowed vales,
    Beneath the smiles of Christmas time!
    Rough sorrow's thorny fingers grow
        As soft and waxen as a child's,
        And balmy pleasures o'er the wilds
    Chant music to the drifting snow.

    Ah, scattered locks that fringe my face,
        With wintry wisps of white and gray!
        Ah, sad, dimmed eyes that look away
    To artless childhood's tender grace!
    To-night those years with joys sublime
        Steal over me and fill my soul
        With lullabies of bliss that roll
    The golden glees of Christmas time.

    Again I live in wondrous days,
        When baby hands with chubby glee<...

'Tis Christmas day; the bells ring out
The joyous tidings far and near,
And children hail with gladsome shout
The merry sound of Christmas cheer.

'Tis Christmas day, the children's day,
When He was born a little child,
To take Creation's sin away,
And purify the Truth defiled.

He taught the world to walk by faith,
And, lest their feet should go astray,
He trod Himself the faithful path,
And showed His followers the way.

He taught a Hope to all oppressed
By Sorrow's weight or Sin's remorse;
Himself the contrite sinner blessed,
To give His words a greater force.

Oh! ye who tread in Trial's way,
Nor scarce can murmuring resist,
Remember, on His natal day,
The faithful suffering of Christ.

And ye, whose thoughts in...

Ring out, O bells, in joyful chime!
    Again we hail the Christmas time;
In melting, mellow atmosphere,
    The crown and glory of the year.

When bitterness, distrust, and awe
    Dissolve, like ice in winter's thaw,
Beneath the genial touches of
    Amenity, good will, and love.

When flowers of affection grow,
    Like edelweiss mid alpine snow,
In lives severe and beautiless,
    Unused to warmth or tenderness.

Let goodness, grace, and gratitude
    Revive in music's interlude,
And pæan notes, till time shall cease,
    Proclaim the blessed reign of peace.

Ring, Christmas bells! for at the sound
    Sweet memories of Him abound
Who laid aside a diadem
    To be the babe of Bethlehem.

Old father Time, his cruel scythe
Has swung full oft around,
Since last the merry Christmas, bells
Rang out their cheerful sound.
With cruel vigor he has held
His great, impartial sway,
And many thousands mown to earth,
Who saw last Christmas day.

For some have left this world for aye,
Who dwelt with us last year;
Glad voices heard amongst us then,
We never more shall hear.
But still we'll build our Christmas fires,
And sing our Christmas songs,
And for one day forget our griefs,
Our failures and our wrongs.

Then ring, ye joyful bells, ring out;
Ye crashing cymbals fall;
And for old Christmas, hale and stout,
Sound up, ye harps and all.
Let music's loud and sweetest strain
Beat from our hearts each ill;
Let thoughts of...