The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1918-12-28

All arose, covering their eyes with their hands
as dazzling light shone around; then sank to
their knees with faces touching the ground.
AS the orchestra played softly, young girl
in flowing robes of white, appeared, represent
ing the Heavenly messenger, and, with an ex-
preston of joy on her face, exclaimed:
Gear not For behold I bring you good It'd
ings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city OF
David Saviour, Who is Christ the Lord. And
this shall be sign unto you; We shall find the
babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a
Manager"
Suddenly, company of girls in white repre-
senting ca multitude Of the Heavenly host"
surrounded them and burst into the chorus,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth,
peace good will toward men"
Immediately following these events attendant
upon the Birth, the Senior Preparatory Chorus
rendered the CAROL ''Ring Out the Bells for
Christmas"
The rendition Of this magnificent selection
deserves particular mention. The blending OF
the various parts with the orchestral effects was
beautiful beyond description; it seemed like
foretaste of heaven.
Christmas Day Joys for the Children
Christmas joys for the little folks was repre-
sented by Candle Drill and Holly Drill,
ending with tableau in four parts Christmas
Preparation, The Christmas Story, Christmas
Morning, and Sharing Christmas.
The Candle Drill was carried out by twenty
eight little girls, dressed in white wearing tiny
red Jackets and with red bows on their hair
Circling around little girl dressed in way
to represent huge, red Christmas candle, they
sang little song, expressive of childish joy.
The Holly Drill was performed by twenty lit
tle Kindergartners, ten boys and ten girls.
We wish we could find words properly to
describe this cunning exercise. We never saw
sweeter childish faces Each little tot, bearing
a holly wreath, and perfectly unconscious of
the onlookers, went sedately and without the
slightest hesitation through the various parts
of the exercises to the music Of the piano, IN
way that was inexpressibly pretty.
Immediately following, a large group OF lit
tie first graders came upon the platform from
each side in single file, each carrying little
red chair Forming a row from one end OF the
platform to the other, every little pair OF hands
became very busy preparing Christmas pre-
sent. Presently little girl in the center arose,
and. in clear expressive voice. heard distinct
ly in every part of the auditorium, repeated:
BUSY with our fingers,
Working day by day,
Making little presents
That give away.
Little hands are willing,
For loving thought,
Help to make these presents
We to you have brought
A young girl of the Preparatory Department,
in long dress, house cap and apron, came upon
the platform and quietly busted herself with
motherly duties, arranging the home for Christ
mas Eve.
Bringing rocker to the center of the room,
and placing other little chairs around she
seated herself and waited for her children to
come and hear a Christmas story. Suddenly
and joyously they bounded forward, eager to
hear it. Cuddling the smallest one on her lap,
she gathered the others around in an expectant
group. With some peering over her shoulder
and the others listening intently, she held a
story book in front of her while Preparatory
girl in the background recited:
Outside, the day was dark and dreary;
Inside were small, restless feet.
Come, children, I'll tell you story -
wonderful words, low and sweet.
The sentence had hardly been spoken
When small, futtering hands came to rest,
And silence intense and unbroken,
Wrapped all, from the worst to the best.
'"The story began; dull eyes frightened,
And soon every dear little face,
By changing expressions, was lightened -
A magic seemed laid on the place.
AS every wee soul walked from slumber
And peeped from it's windows at me,
thought of the tales without number
Christ told by the blue Galilee"
AS the story ended, it was apparent that the
children had become drowsy; indeed, the least
one seemed almost asleep. The mother then
sent them away to bed, with Instructions to
sleep soundly, while the angels guarded over
them, and then awake brig and early = for
tomorrow was Christmas Day.
After the children were gone, the patient
mother brought in Christmas tree and began
lading it with many things dear to the childish
lO1o af17 nI1c oH1d