* * * * *

=A Gentle Reminder.=

  Something new about Christmas? 
    Why, what were half so sweet
  As the old, old way of keeping
    The day our glad hearts greet?

  The old, old chimes are dearest;
    The old, old songs are best;
  It’s the old, old gladness welling
    Within each joyous breast.

  Then my little lad said slyly,
    “Remember, if that’s true,
  That your old, old way, mamma dear,
    Was to give me something new.”

  Alice W. Rollins.

* * * * *

=Christmas Time.=

By M.N.B.

    (An introductory recitation for a Christmas program.)

    Christmas time for boys and girls
      Is a happy day,
    For we go to grandmamma’s
      And eat and sing and play.

    Grandma does not say to us—­
      “Stop that horrid noise,”
    ’Cause she understands we can’t,
      When we’re "only boys."

    And she lets the girls play house,
      In the garret old,
    And when they strew things around,
      Grandma doesn’t scold.

    But we ought to pick them up,
      Even on Christmas day,
    For we shouldn’t make kind friends
      Trouble with our play.

    Yes, we love the Christmas time
      Best of all the year,
    We have waited for it long,
      Now, at last, it’s here.

* * * * *

=Christmas Wishes.=

By C. PHILLIPS.

    (These couplets may be given by three primary children to open
    Christmas program.)

  First child:
      Dear teachers and friends, allow me to say
      That we wish you a very glad Christmas day.

  Second child:
    That our darling old “Santa,” as sly as a fox,
    May leave at your door both bundle and box.

  Third child:
    And that beautiful gifts for one and for all
    From the evergreen boughs may happily fall!

* * * * *

=Christmas Morn.=

By M.N.B.

    (Recitation and chorus.  A semi-circle of primary children is
    formed on the stage.  They sing first verse of the familiar
    church tune, “Joy to the World.”)

  Chorus.—­
    Joy to the world, the Lord has come,
      Let earth receive her King,
    Let every heart prepare him room,
      And heaven and nature sing.

  Recitation (one child steps forward).—­
    In Bethlehem, the story goes,
      A little Child was born,
    Low in a manger He was laid
      The first glad Christmas morn.

    That Child is now our Saviour King,
      Of Him we sing to-day;
    And may glad bells o’er all the earth
      Ring out a gladsome lay.