Farther south, but still within our United States, the scarlet holly grows in luxuriance.  So full of holiday association is this tree that its branches are carefully transported a thousand miles for use during Christmas week.  Its crisp leaves, lively color, and happy sentiment make the holly, pre-eminent as a winter ornament, prince in our Christmas garden.

A contrast is furnished by the delicate sprays of the mistletoe growing upon the limbs of the oak, elm, and apple trees.  The white berry attaches itself, curiously enough, without roots of any kind, and becomes an enduring plant.

* * * * *

=A Christmas Carol.=

  “What means this glory round our feet?”
    The Magi mused, “more bright than morn?”
  And voices chanted clear and sweet,
    “To-day the Prince of Peace is born!”

  “What means that star?” the shepherd said,
    “That brightens through the rocky glen?”
  And angels answering overhead,
    Sang, “Peace on earth, good will to men!”

  ’Tis eighteen hundred years and more
    Since those sweet oracles were dumb;
  We wait for Him, like them of yore;
    Alas, He seems so slow to come!

  But it was said, in words of gold. 
    No time or sorrow e’er shall dim,
  That little children might be bold
    In perfect trust to come to Him.

  All round about our feet shall shine
    A light like that the wise men saw,
  If we our loving wills incline
    To that sweet Life which is the Law.

  So shall we learn to understand
    The simple faith of shepherds then,
  And clasping kindly hand in hand,
    Sing, “Peace on earth, good will to men!”

  And they who do their souls no wrong,
    But keep at eve the faith of morn,
  Shall daily hear the angel-song,
    “To-day the Prince of Peace is born!”

J.R.  Lowell

* * * * *

=The Power of Christmas.=

Even under the pressure of battle the influence of the Christmas season has exerted a powerful effect.  In 1428, during the war of the roses, while Orleans was under siege, the English lords, history tells us, requested the French commanders to suspend hostilities, and let the usual celebration of Christmas eve take their place.  This was agreed to, and the air was filled with the song of the minstrels and the music of trumpets, instead of the discordant sounds of battle.

* * * * *

=Peace on Earth.=

    (Recitation for a high-school pupil.)

  The shepherds went their hasty way,
    And found the lowly stable shed
  Where the Virgin-Mother lay;
    And now they checked their eager tread,
  For to the Babe that at her bosom clung
  A mother’s song the Virgin-Mother sung.

  They told her how a glorious light,
    Streaming from a heavenly throng,
  Around them shone suspending night,
    While, sweeter than a mother’s song,
  Blest angels heralded the Saviour’s birth,
  Glory to God on high and Peace on Earth.