hut all night. At supper, we all sat down on reindeer skins before the fire. We had reindeer meat, and plenty of bread and cheese. "Hearing a noise overhead, I looked up, and there high above our heads was a little blue-eyed baby swinging in his hammock. He looked down upon us, and laughed, and crowed, as if he enjoyed the scene. "We all slept on deerskins on the floor with more skins over us. As I lay there, I could see rows of smoked meat and fish, hanging from the roof." Haven't they any cellars or storehouses?" asked Hans. "No, they have to keep all their provisions in the hut. In the morning I went out with the chief of the tribe to see the herd of reindeer. There were at least a thousand in the herd. They are very hardy and strong, and will travel long distances, sometimes a hundred miles in one day. It is fine sport to ride in a sledge behind a reindeer team. They fly over the snow like the wind. "The women and children find many things to do at home in the hut. They dress the reindeer skins and make rugs and slippers, using strips of skin for thread. They showed me knives and spoons, which they had carved out of the horns of the reindeer. 'But I must bring my story to a close. My audience is half asleep. Off to bed with you all, for Christmas will soon be here. You must not make the birds wait for their breakfast." So then all say, "Gud nag," and up the stairs they climb to dream of the good time coming to-morrow. TO ALL LITTLE FOLKS When winter comes in, To feed them begin When winter comes in. NORA ARCHIBALD SMITH. THE WILD BIRD'S SONG I ride amid the green tree tops high When the earth is parched and the brooklets are dry I sing, I sing, in my covert cool, And lave my breast in the I sing, I sing of my Till the wanderer stops near my sheltered grove; He hears the song in the quiet air, And, hearkening, he smiles, and forgets all his care. At night to my sheltering pine I fly, And sleep till the daydawn gilds the sky; Then loud I sing from a swelling breast, In praise of the God who protects my nest. THE ANNUNCIATION High up among the hills in the country that was once called Judea, there lived a good old man named Zachary, and his wife Elizabeth. They were good people doing right in the sight of God, keeping his commandments faithfully. These old people had no child, and they wished very much to have one. Many a time they had prayed that God would give them a little son, but their prayer had not been answered. Now at a certain time Zachary had come to Jerusalem to take his part in the service of the temple, for he was a Jewish priest. Many people had gathered in the temple courts, and many others at home were turning their faces toward the temple in prayer. It was the time of burning incense before the altar of the Lord. And as the fragrant smoke arose, it was a symbol to all the people of their own prayers ascending to God. On this day, it was Zachary's turn to burn incense in the Holy Place. Two priests went in with him, one holding a golden bowl of incense, the other a golden bowl of burning coals. They placed them on the altar and went out leaving Zachary alone. Then he burned the incense before the Lord, and the multitude of people was without, praying. "And the smoke of the incense with the prayers of the saints ascended up before God." Then there appeared to Zachary an angel, standing on the right of the altar. The angel told him that his prayers were heard: they should have a son, whom they should call John, which means, "Favor of God." This child was to have a great mission upon earth. It was to prepare his people, the Jews, for the coming of their Savior. He would convert many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God, and many people would rejoice at his birth. Zachary could not believe this at first; it was all too wonderful. Then the angel said, "I am Gabriel, who stand before God, and am sent to speak to thee and to bring thee these good tidings." And then the angel told Zachary that he should be dumb until the time that the child was born, because he had not believed his words. |