Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1872-12-25

presents, while Gretchen, Hans, and
Mary, Fritz, Karl, and Emma, a']
shouted and danced for JOY around
the beautiful gifts which their
Christmas-trcc had brought them
this year. Allwere happy. And no
one, old or young, could dream that
one of the Christ -Chi!d's little ones
was starving at their very doors!
The child drew sigh, and went
wcarily on; for he knew not in that
strange city where to turn to for a
nights lodging, however humble,
were it only u hay-lott or stable.
Tired aud heart-sick, ut length he
crouchcd down under the shadow of
an old church-porch, aud strove to
warm his frozcn limbs, and to seek
from the hand of natures kind
nurse" sleep, forgetfulness of his
present misery. And sleep was near
to him; yes, very near!
In memory lrc sat once more again
upon his mothers knee, and listened
once more toiicr sweet, gentle voice,
us sho told him the wonderful story
| of that first Christmast Eve, when
the Savior Of the World first appear
ed as babe i'll the N anger of the
humble i'm ut Bethlehem; of tie
! lonely shepherds keeping watch over
their tiocks by night upon the hill
side; OF the sudden bursting on their
sights ofmultitudcs of beautiful and
heavenly beinss-those herald-angels
singing for the first time since the
creation that glorious Birthday
LYNN, which is sung cverInore from
that day to this, "Glory to God in the
Highest" And then came back, bit
by bit, to his memory the oft-told
tales of the Holy Chilt's life, of fast
ing, and temptation, and trial, and
suffering, Of poverty, ofloncliness, of
betrayal i'll the end, of His love for
all, especially for little children and
how, through the cruel death which
lie suffered, He purchased for all
who would receive it at his hands Il
long, long life beyond the grave
how lie had left 4 bright example for
all to tread III His footsteps; and,
having finished the work of love
upon earth, had gone back to his
home above the blue sky to prepare
beautiful place, and had promised
that all who should do His will on
earth should share His happiness III
heaven.
Aud had not his mother taught him
over and over,again that the Christ
mas-trcc, with its brilliant lights, its
golden and and silver fruits, its beau
tiful toys, and other precious gifts,
WAS bat faint type of the great and
countless blessings which the Babe of
Bethlehem had purchased for all at
the highest of all possible prices?
And was He not this night, with
band of angels, revisitin@ the earth
ouce more, Child among children
rejoicing in their happiness, and low
ing and blessing all those whom lie
may find starving, to follow in Ills
steps2
81 love Him, too" thought the
dcsolatc child. "Ycs, | love Him
dearly. l wear His cross upon my
forehead, and bear His name and
will lie not cast one look upon me
here in these dark, cold. drcary
streets, as Tic passes with His band
OF Holy angels over this city tonight?
have 40 one left to me now but
Him." And. with claspcd hands and
| streaming eyes, the orphan prayed TO
his Father in heaven that he might
not quite he forgotten OH this Holy
eve OF Christmas tide.
The night wore on apace, the wind
blew sharp and keen down the street;
and his eyes, which had gazcd SO
eagerly upward, as it for an answer
to his prayer, closed in troubled
sleep.
But what new and strange bright
ness bursts upon the weary sleeper
now? Is it u dream, or are the holy
angels come again, as they came to
the shepherds of old upon the hills
around Bethlehem! Gottfricd's heart
throbs wildly within his breast, with
mingled feelings of hope and fear;
for standing before him is child,
the majesty Of whose beauty and
glory no human pom can describe. In
tones OF thrilling love lc spoke:
:'Gottfrictl, you have called upon
AIc in your distress, and | have heard
YOU. See. am come down from Ny
home far above the eternal hills-vcs,
from above the heaven of hcavcns-to
show You the depth an,l the riches of
NV love toward all who love Nc and
try to serve Nc and do My will.
have marked and noted all your
earthly sorrows. / have seen your
patient grief when all around you
were so glad this night and now l
will give you such joy as it has
never entered into your heart, or into
the heart OF any other child. to COLI
ccive."
lie ceased, and pointed upward.
Aud, 10! the dark, dark sky was
gone, and, bright and beautiful scenes
lay stretched out before his eyes, one
beyond the oticr-so far, and yet SO
near; and, one by one, they faded ill.,
to the blue distance. Aud there were
high hills and fair green valleys, and
beautiful meadows and crystal
streams, and groups of beautiful and
happy children, and glorics without
end. And there, too, were tai,
bright Christmas-trces, the lights Oh
which glittcred like the stars OF heav-
ell, and the fruits Of which were such
as are unknown to dwellers upon
earth, both for beauty, and smell land
taste.
Gottfried looked again, ard his
eyes bcamed with delight when he
saw bands of fair children beckoning
him to como up into this fair and
wonderful lind. Nearer and nearer |