The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-25
DER CHRlSTKlNDEL.

DER CHRlSTKlNDEL.
had trimmed the fire and stirred it till the sparkles
in delight
Snapped their saucy little ngersa the chill December
night;
And, in dressing gown and slippers, had tilted back
my throne
The old splintbottoned rocker-and was musing all
alone
could hear the hungry winter prowling round the
outer door,
And the tread of muled footsteps the white piazza
floor
But the sounds came to ME only as the murnur OF a
stream
That mingled with the current of lazy flowing dream.
cigar,
With the lampght cleaning through it like mist.
EMBODIED STAR
And as gazed the vapor like curtain rolled away,
With sound of bells that tinkled and the catter of
sleigh.
And in a vision. painted, like picture, in the air,
I saw the elfsh figure of a man with frosty hair
quaint old man that chuckled with laugh he APP
peared
And with ruddy checks, like embers in the ashes of
his beard
And he poised himself grotesquely in attitude of
On damaskcovered hassock that was sitting on the
hearth;
And, at mystic signal of his stubby little thumb,
saw the place changing to bright proscenium,
And looking there marveed as I mimic stage
Alive with little actors of very tender age;
And some so very tiny that they tottered as they
walked,
And lisped and pulled and gurged like the brooklets
when they talked.
And their faces were like lilies, and their eyes like
drops of dew,
And their tresses like the shadow that the shine is
woven through
And they each had little burdens and little tale to
tell
OF fairy lore, and giants, and the kitten in the WELL
And they blent and intermngled, weaving wonder
ment with joy,
AS the magic circle clustered round blooming baby
boy;
And they threw aside their treasures in ecstasy of
And bent with dazzed faces and with parted lips to
Twas wondrous little fellow, with dainty double
chin,
And chubby cheeks, and dimples for the smiles to
blossom in;
And he looked as ripe and rosy his bed of straw
and reeds
As mellow little pippn that had tumbled in the
weeds.
And saw the happy mother and group surround
ing her
That knet with costly presents of frankincense and
n1yrrh;
And thrilled with awe and wonder, as a murmur on
Came drifting DER the hearing in melody of
By the plendor in the heavens and the hush upon the
sea-
And the majesty of silence reignng over Galilee,
We feel Thy kingy presence, and hu1nbly bow the
And lift hearts and voices in gratefuness to Thee
Thy messenger hath spoken and our doubts have fled
and gone
AS the dark and spectral shadows of the night before
the dawn;
And in the kindly shelter of the light around us
drawn,
We would nestle down forever in the breast we lean
You have given Shepherd-You have given US
Guide
And the light of heaven grew DINNER when You sent
Him from Your side,-
But He to lead His chosen where the gates viii
open wide
To welcome His returning when His works are
glorifed.
By the splendor in the heavens and the hush upon
sea-
And the majesty of silence reigning Gailee,
We feel Thy kingly presence and we humbly bow the
knee
And lift hearts and voices in gratefulness to Thee
Then the vision slowly failing with the words of the
refrain,
Fell swooning in the moonlight, through the frosty
window-pane;
And L heard the clock proclaming, like eager
sentinel,
Who brings the world good tidngs; sit is Christmas
all is well!''