按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
and gold。 By and by it began to grow dark； and the little cloud grew larger
and larger； and before long the night came。 In the morning the little
children of Earthdom were surprised to see a white covering over the land。
〃See the snow； the beautiful。 snow〃 they cried； and the sleds were
brought out； and such a merry time as they had playing in the white drifts！
But I wonder if any of them knew what the snow really came for； and how
glad dear Mother Nature was because her babies were sleeping safe and
warm under the downy snowflake blankets。
25
… Page 26…
BUTTERCUP GOLD AND OTHER STORIES
The First Christmas
Once there lay a little baby Sleeping in the fragrant hay； And this
lovely infant stranger Brought our first glad Christmas day。
Shepherds on the hillside； watching Over wandering flocks at night；
Heard a strange； sweet strain of music； Saw a clear and heavenly light。
Listened to the angels' story： How； in David's town so still； Slept the
infant King of Glory； Dreaming of sweet peace； good will。
And a star of radiant splendor Led them where the baby lay； Lowly
cradled in a manger； On that far…off Christmas day。
Though that day was long ago； Every child throughout the earth Loves
to hear each year the story Of the gentle Christ Child's birth。
And they seem to see the beauty Of the eastern star again； And repeat
the angels' chorus： 〃Peace on earth； good will to men。〃
26
… Page 27…
BUTTERCUP GOLD AND OTHER STORIES
The Christmas Star
Long； long ago； in the blue sky above the hills of Bethlehem； twinkled
the stars。 Very early in the morning they would sing together and would
tell each other of what they had seen during the long night。
They used to watch the shepherds guarding their flocks upon the
hillsides； and one bright evening star that looked down upon the earth
earlier than the others； would tell stories of little children whispering their
prayers at the twilight hour。 One wintry night a new star came to visit the
other stars。 It was so radiant that its rays shone upon the gray hills and
made them light as day。 It had come on a wonderful errand。 The shepherds
saw it and were frightened at its strange brightness； but an angel came to
them and said： 〃Do not be afraid； the star has come to bring you good；
tidings of great joy； and to show you the place where a little babe is born；
a little babe whose name is Jesus； and who will give peace and joy to the
whole world。〃
Then the shepherds heard some singing；beautiful singing； for a great
many angels had come to tell the good news； and the star grew larger and
brighter； it was so glad。 When the angels had gone back to Heaven； the
shepherds said； 〃Let us go and see this child。〃 So they left their flocks
sleeping on the hillsides； and took their crooks in their hands and followed
the star； which travelled on and on till it led them to the little stable in
Bethlehem； when the Baby Jesus was cradled in a manger。 Then the star
moved on again to a country far away； where some good； wise men lived。
They saw the bright light； and noticed the star moving on and on； as if it
were showing them the way to go。 So they； too； followed the star till it
rested above the birthplace of Jesus。 Then the wise men went in and gave
their best gifts to the baby； and they and the shepherds knelt and thanked
God for sending the little Christ Child to be the best Christmas present the
great world ever had。 The star watched over them； casting a peaceful light
over all。 At last the dawn came over the hill tops； and the star went away；
far back into the blue heavens； to tell the other stars the story of our first
glad Christmas day。
27
… Page 28…
BUTTERCUP GOLD AND OTHER STORIES
Love's Garden
There is a quiet garden； From the rude world set apart； Where seeds
for Christ are growing； This is the loving heart。
The tiny roots are loving thoughts； Sweet words； the fragrant flowers
Which blossom into loving deeds； Ripe fruits for harvest hours。
Thus in our hearts the seeds of love Am growing year by year； And we
show our love for the Saviour； By loving His children here。
28