Christmas in Legend and Story | Page 7

be King, God's Desire! Not a brier Shall be left to grieve Thy brow;
Rest Thee now.

Sleep, Thou little Child of Mary. Some fair day Wilt Thou, as Thou
wert a brother, Come away Over hills and over hollow? All the lambs
will up and follow, Follow but for love of Thee. Lov'st Thou me?
Sleep, Thou little Child of Mary; Rest Thee now. I that watch am come
from sheep-stead And from plough. Thou wilt have disdain of me
When Thou'rt lifted, royally, Very high for all to see: Smilest Thou?

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS ROSES
ADAPTED FROM AN OLD LEGEND
The sun had dropped below the western hills of Judea, and the stillness
of night had covered the earth. The heavens were illumined only by
numberless stars, which shone the brighter for the darkness of the sky.
No sound was heard but the occasional howl of a jackal or the bleat of a
lamb in the sheepfold. Inside a tent on the hillside slept the shepherd,
Berachah, and his daughter, Madelon. The little girl lay
restless,--sleeping, waking, dreaming, until at last she roused herself
and looked about her.
"Father," she whispered, "oh, my father, awake. I fear for the sheep."
The shepherd turned himself and reached for his staff. "What nearest
thou, daughter! The dogs are asleep. Hast thou been burdened by an
evil dream?"
"Nay, but father," she answered, "seest thou not the light? Hearest thou
not the voice?"
Berachah gathered his mantle about him, rose, looked over the hills
toward Bethlehem, and listened. The olive trees on yonder slope were
casting their shadows in a marvellous light, unlike daybreak or sunset,
or even the light of the moon. By the camp-fire below on the hillside
the shepherds on watch were rousing themselves. Berachah waited and
wondered, while Madelon clung to his side. Suddenly a sound rang out
in the stillness. Madelon pressed still closer.
"It is the voice of an angel, my daughter. What it means I know not.
Neither understand I this light." Berachah fell on his knees and prayed.
"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall
be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a
Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye
shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
The voice of the angel died away, and the air was filled with music.

Berachah raised Madelon to her feet. "Ah, daughter," said he, "It is the
wonder night so long expected. To us hath it been given to see the sign.
It is the Messiah who hath come, the Messiah, whose name shall be
called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father,
the Prince of Peace. He it is who shall reign on the throne of David, he
it is who shall redeem Israel."
Slowly up the hillside toiled the shepherds to the tent of Berachah, their
chief, who rose to greet them eagerly.
"What think you of the wonder night and of the sign?" he queried. "Are
we not above all others honored, thus to learn of the Messiah's
coming!"
"Yea, and Berachah," replied their spokesman, Simon, "believest thou
not that we should worship the infant King! Let us now go to
Bethlehem, and see this thing which has come to pass."
A murmur of protest came from the edge of the circle, and one or two
turned impatiently away, whispering of duty toward flocks, and the
folly of searching for a new-born baby in the city of Bethlehem.
Hardheaded, practical men were these, whose hearts had not been
touched by vision or by song.
The others, however, turned expectantly toward Berachah, awaiting his
decision. "Truly," said Jude, "the angel of the Lord hath given us the
sign in order that we might go to worship Him. How can we then do
otherwise? We shall find Him, as we have heard, lying in a manger. Let
us not tarry, but let us gather our choicest treasures to lay at His feet,
and set out without delay across the hills toward Bethlehem."
"Oh, my father," whispered Madelon, "permit me to go with thee."
Berachah did not hear her, but turned and bade the men gather together
their gifts.
"I, too, father?" asked Madelon. Still Berachah said nothing. Madelon
slipped back into the tent, and throwing her arms around Melampo, her
shepherd dog, whispered in his ear.
Soon the shepherds returned with their gifts. Simple treasures they
were,--a pair of doves, a fine wool blanket, some eggs, some honey,
some late autumn fruits. Berachah had searched for the finest of his
flock,--a snow-white lamb. Across the hills toward Bethlehem in the
quiet, star-lit night they journeyed. As