Page 40 - HSLChristmasAnthology

HSL Christmas Anthology Page 40
AND THE POOR CHILDREN. 17
to do much for them. She took a penny
from the shelf, and told Heinrich to go and
buy a taper to hang in the tree. " Oh mo
ther, shall we have our tree lighted, just as
they do in the big houses?" exclaimed Ger
trude ; and the usually quiet little creature
jumped about and sung.
Rich people in Germany arrange the Christ
mas-tree privately, and keep the room care
fully shut, while beautiful presents ofall kinds
are hung upon it, to take the children by sur
prise. Jt is brilliantly lighted with coloured
lamps, and over it floats a little angel-im
age with shining wings, which they call the
Christ-child. The very small children think
this Christ-child brings them all the pretty
presents. And truly
" There is an angel, who from Heaven comes,
To bless and comfort all the little ones.
Guess who it is, so good and mild,
And gentle to each little child 7
I'll tell thee It came from God above,
And the spirit's name is MOTHER'S LOVE."
Heinrich and Gertrude could not have
'their tree prepared in another room, and
'f'ghted up to surprise them suddenly with
its splendour ; for they had but one room,
and a little strip of shed, where they and
two or three other families kept brush and
b 2