Volume 4 — THE CHRISTMAS TREE.
Reading edition
Christmas comes but once a year; 'Tis come at last, O glorious day! Let every cross that mortals bear Be for the moment flung away. "Yes," says the cricket from his hole Beside the flame-lit kitchen hearth, "It is a time for every soul To give himself to joy and mirth," "Christmas comes but once a year," Returns the timid pantry mouse. "The cat has told me not to fear; To-night I'll scamper through the house." So, blow ye winds, and you, Jack Frost, Come in the dark and do your worst; How wild soe'er the night may be, It shall not stir my Christmas Tree. Then let us dance and laugh and sing, And form in all one happy ring; The Yule log never burned so bright. Hurrah! hurrah! 'tis Christmas night. It is a time to seek the poor, And bid them welcome round our door; The alms we give, to Christ are given. And hung on Christmas Trees in heaven. The Christmas Tree is evergreen: The hand of time may change the scene, The child a gray-haired man may be, But memory keeps the Christmas Tree. W.S., Jr.
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