THE CAROL OF CHRISTMAS NIGHT

Holy night! peaceful night!
All is dark save the light
Yonder where they sweet vigil keep
O'er the Babe, who in silent sleep
Rests in heavenly peace.

Silent night! holiest night!
Darkness flies; all is light!
Shepherds hear the angels sing,
"Hallelujah! Hail the King!
Christ, the Saviour, is here,
Jesus, the Saviour, is here."


_When the song is finished, they all lie down. Grandmother tucks the
bed-clothes about their shoulders, and goes out. Soon they are all
asleep._

_Then a faint sound of sleigh-bells is heard on the roof._

_Then all is quiet for a moment._

_And THEN Santa Claus comes down the chimney, and steps out
into the room. Silently he looks at both beds, full of sleeping
children, turning his pocket flash light on them, so as to see them
better. He counts the children in each bed. Then he counts the stockings
hanging by the fire-place to be sure they are all there. Next he fills