<h2> The Christmas Star </h2>
<p>Long, long ago, in the blue sky above the hills of Bethlehem, twinkled the
stars. Very early in the morning they would sing together and would tell
each other of what they had seen during the long night.</p>
<p>They used to watch the shepherds guarding their flocks upon the hillsides,
and one bright evening star that looked down upon the earth earlier than
the others, would tell stories of little children whispering their prayers
at the twilight hour. One wintry night a new star came to visit the other
stars. It was so radiant that its rays shone upon the gray hills and made
them light as day. It had come on a wonderful errand. The shepherds saw it
and were frightened at its strange brightness; but an angel came to them
and said: "Do not be afraid; the star has come to bring you good, tidings
of great joy, and to show you the place where a little babe is born,—a
little babe whose name is Jesus, and who will give peace and joy to the
whole world."</p>
<p>Then the shepherds heard some singing,—beautiful singing, for a
great many angels had come to tell the good news; and the star grew larger
and brighter, it was so glad. When the angels had gone back to Heaven, the
shepherds said, "Let us go and see this child." So they left their flocks
sleeping on the hillsides, and took their crooks in their hands and
followed the star, which travelled on and on till it led them to the
little stable in Bethlehem, when the Baby Jesus was cradled in a manger.
Then the star moved on again to a country far away, where some good, wise
men lived. They saw the bright light, and noticed the star moving on and
on, as if it were showing them the way to go. So they, too, followed the
star till it rested above the birthplace of Jesus. Then the wise men went
in and gave their best gifts to the baby, and they and the shepherds knelt
and thanked God for sending the little Christ Child to be the best
Christmas present the great world ever had. The star watched over them,
casting a peaceful light over all. At last the dawn came over the hill
tops, and the star went away, far back into the blue heavens, to tell the
other stars the story of our first glad Christmas day.</p>
<p><SPAN name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"></SPAN></p>
<br/>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />