The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-12-21
MOkNNG STAR CATHOLIC MESSENGER SUNDAY DECEl

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and laid His .rssiant head on the humble
woman's bososn In an attitude Of baby rest
swelling with the trembling OF her heart
which felt overpowered with happiness,
and abe wondered ut herself.
ave love Thee, and We have NO gift to
offer Thee but our poverty, aud tho pa.
thence We will try. to practice: Sweet In
FAINT Jesus, take them, aad give NO Thy
blessing, that we may strive to be like
Thee"
The little Tongues repeated it reverently,
in that most thrilling Of all voices, the voice
of o good child striving to initiate its moth
er's in prayer, and, as they finished, the
Divine Child laid on each of their bowed
heads, Baby hand in tho benediction
they had asked.
Then the mother held out her poor arms,
tired aud aching with the days toll, to
wondered why they forgot their poverty
aud their sorrow, why they felt as if heaven
had come to them In that embrace! But
they did not see that the Divine Child
shared it with them, that those worn arms
held Him, too, to that faithful and suffering
heart, and that, as they did so, the angels
"Come with us, dear Lord i" they said in
their music tones.
Bat the Baby hand made an imperial
gesture for them to leave 81 have found
Ny rest, here will stay" He said, and the
finite peace, He laid His holy head once
more on the tender and lowly heart that
had invited Him in. The angels withdrew,
and watched outside Of the thrice blessed
! honse. They saw no more.
They were silent for some moments-sil-
lent with awe. THEN:
eve never knew--never thought He
~r;k =, Of ybrso ~ fhay opid ahnd
dering.
sThe poor you have always with you,
aud THEY mean HIM." said the still stern
| voice of their guide. "Know it and think
of it for the future. forgetting them, you
forget Him remembering only your selfish
Christmas, you refuse Him entrance to
your home. vainly ia tfse Christmas-tree
| deckedebere, vainly is my coming prepared
for. Your house may be gay with gifts
aud dainties from end to end, but without
His presence, there is no Christmas there;
| He was gone. They were again in the
familiar room at home. They looked at
each other.
.'Did we-did we dream it, Tom 7" said
Mamie. .....r,. -s....
there. 7" But I'll tell you one thing do
know
$50 do l." said Mamie.
'Yes-it's the same. It's that we've
been two selfish"
"Wretches," said Mamie, stamping he,
foot.
"No, FOOLS" said Tom. owe didn'i
know how to get ready for Christmas. We
were only going to be good 30 Kriss would
bring us things"
"Not 80 we'd be like the Baby God, ,
softly put in the little girl.
- - u IN,
about Him at ALL" asseverated Tom scorn
fully. "Then we we're going to save ny
our money for Christmas gifts-golly
could kick myself when I think Of tn
meanness of it
ayes only for people we thought wonlt
| give us about twice as much backIoh
Tom, it was awful ~ Mamie began e
"Jupiter, Mamie don't cry Mean is to-
high sounding o name for uS But swea
I didn't intend to be so-I hate it as mucl
rs any fellow could !"
$50 do too, Tom"
"Let us prove it them" cried Tom proud
;; ", slet us take old Kriss's way of getting
. ready for Christmas try to be good so q
, to be like the Infant Jssus, and Civ
some of our Christmas gifts to the poor
! because they're in the place Of Him."
"Then, will He como to rs, Tom, do yol
a think 2" said the little girl earnestly.
Certainly" he answered, CATER awhil
when we deserve it."
"We done now" she said very sorrow
fully, "bat let US get ready"
Will my little readers DO the Same WI
, they learn the lesson cold Kriss" tau3h
:, Tom and Mamie, now in time befor
Christmas comes Z Will they let it sur
r prise them, by finding them unprepared 70
. the visit of the weeping Baby who vii
; then knock at their doors Will they lis
= ten for His knock, aud-invite Him in 7
!, All little people, you are saying, @ j
this all true about Kriss, and the childre
seeing angels aud the Baby God:"
Nay, my pets, believe me, the eye c
= Faith can see greater wonders even than
= have told; that the true Spirit of the Christ
mae-gift, can open oar eyes to create
sights and that whenever good chiidre
are held to the hearts of good mothers, til
, Infant Jesus shares the embrace, and angel
/ look on in envy
+ MORAL INFLUENCE OF A LITERARY TASTE
NJ al