The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-12-27
Origin of the Christmas Tree.

I'm n little cottage on the borders q
a forest lived "a poor labOrer. who gained
scanty living by cutting wood. lie
had u wife and two children who helped
him in his work. The boy s name was
Valentine, and the girl was called Mary.
They were good. obedient children. and a
great comfort 10 their parents.
one winter evening this happy little
family were sitting quietly round the
hearth. the snow and wind raging out
side. while they ate their supper OF dry
bread. when Il gentle tan was heard ~
the window and a childish voice called
from without.
80, let mo in. pray: ] am poor little
child. with nothing 20 eat. and no homo
TO go 10. and / shall die OF cold and hun
ger unless you let mo in
Valentine and Mary jumped ND from
the table and ran TO open the door say
ing: Come I'm. poor little child. we have
not much 10 give you but whatever we
have we will share with YOU
The stranger child came I'm and warmed
his frozen hands ana feet NJ the IRE.
and the children gave him the best they
had 10 eat saying You must Doe tired.
too. poor child he down In our bed. We
can sleep on the bench for one night.
Then said the little stranger child.
Thank God FOR all your kindness 10
me-"
So they took their little guest into their
sleeping and laid him on tho bed,
covered him over and said 10 each other.
How thankful We ought 20 be 20 have
warm rooms and coy bed. when this
poor child has only the sky for ms rooi
and the cold earth for his sleeping place.
When their father and mother went 70
bed Mary and Valentine lay quite con-
tentcdly on the bench near the fire, say
ing before they fell asleep: The
stranger child viii be so happy tonight
Those kind children had not slept manv
hours before Mary awoke. and WHISPERED
10 her brother: Valentine. dear. wake
and listen 10 the music under the WIN
dow"
Thcn Valentine rubbed his. eyes ard
listened u was sweet music. indced.
and sounded like beautiful voices singing
to the tones Of harp;
30. Holy child. we greet Thee, bringing
Sweet strains of harp TO aid our sing
Thou. Holy Child. in peace art sleep
While we our watch without are keep
"Blesf be tho house wherein Thou lest
Happiest on earth-to Heaven the hish-
est
The children listened. while a solemn
GOV filled their hearts; then they stepped
softly 10 the window 10 see who might
In The east was n streak OF rosy dawn
and in tho light they saw a group OF
children standing before the house
clothed in silver garments. holding golden
harps in their hands Amazed az this
SIGHT. the children were gazing still ont
Of the window. when light tap caused
them to turn round.
There stood the stranger child before
them. clad i'm golden dress. with a
cleaning radiance round his CURING mar
~ am the little Christchild" he said
VINO wanders through the world bring
ing peace and happiness 20 good children
You took me I'm and cared for me TINS
NIGHT when YOU thought | was only a
poor child and you shall have my bless
Ing for what you have done.
4 fir tree grew near the house. FROM
this he broke a twig which he planted
i'm the ground saying: This twig shall
become a tree and shall bring forth fruit
year by year for you.
No sooner had he done his than he
vanished. and with him the little choir
of angels. But the fir branch grew and
became a Christmas tree. and on It's
branches hung golden apples and silver
nuts every Christm1stide.
dren concerning the beautiful Christmas
tree.