A Cbristmas Carol.

IN the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,

Water like a stone;

Snow had fallen, snow on snow,

Snow on snow,

In the bleak mid-winter

Long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him

Nor earth sustain ;

Heaven and earth shall flee away

When He comes to reign:

In the bleak mid-winter

A stable-place sufficed

The Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him whom cherubim

Worship night and day,

A breastful of milk

And a mangerful of hay ; Enough for Him whom angels Fall down before,

The ox and ass and camel

Which adore.

Angels and archangels

May have gathered there, Cherubim and seraphim Throng'd the air,

But only His mother

In her maiden bliss

Worshipped her Beloved
With a kiss.

What can I give Him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd

I would bring a lamb,

If I were a wise man

I would do my part,—

Yet what I can I give Him,

Give my heart.

CHRISTINA G. ROSSETTI.

66

"A MERRIE Christmas" to you!

For we serve the Lord with mirth,

And we carol forth glad tidings
Of our holy Saviour's birth.

So we keep the olden greeting

With its meaning deep and true, And with “a merrie Christmas"

And a happy New Year to you!

99

Oh, yes! “a merrie Christmas ”

With blithest song and smile,

Bright with the thought of Him who dwelt
On earth a little while,
That we might dwell forever
Where never falls a tear :

So “a merrie Christmas" to you,

And a happy, happy year!

FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL.

Lines.

POMES the Christ Child gentle
In December drear,

With deeds of loving kindness

All the world to cheer. May it be our endeavor

Be we great or small

To be like this dear Christ Child,

Kind to one and all.

UNKNOWN.