'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale,
A Christmas gambol oft could cheer
The poor man's heart through half the year.

_--Sir Walter Scott_.

MUSIC OF CHRISTMAS.

What do the angels sing?
What is the word they bring?
What is the music of Christmas again?
Glad tidings still to thee,
Peace and good will to thee
Glory to God in the highest!

_--F.R. Havergal_.

A CHRISTMAS WISH.

A bright and blessed Christmas Day,
With echoes of the angels' song,
And peace that cannot pass away,
And holy gladness, calm and strong,
And sweetheart carols, flowing free!
This is my Christmas wish to thee.

--_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