A GERMAN LEGEND.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 305, 23 December 1903, Page 3 (Supplement)

A GERMAN LEGEND.

Among the wild stories and legends with which Germany teems I know not one more beautiful in its conception and the pure lesson it indicates than the simple story of the "Christ Child." It is believed throughout the land by its simple inhabitants that every Christmas a being from another world whom they call the Christ Child visits the land in disguise. Whoever is so fortunate as to entertain this heavenly visitor can never know care or trouble through the year round. Upon this popular legend is founded the following story, which is simple in itself, but from which -we may be able to gain a word or two of benefit for ourselves. Had you been in the streets of a large city in Germany one Christmas Eve you may have seen a little girl, poorly dressed, wandering along/ She .seemed to have no home, and no friends, for everyone passed her by, never heeding her. As she wandered along she came to a house where they were keeping Christmas with all the pomp that wealth could offer. They had all the rich and costly presents one could wish for, and their" table was spread with almost every dainty. She went to the door, thinking they would let her share their pleasures, but they rudely sent her away. Thus she wandered on from house to house, some coldly sending her away, others paying no attention to her whatever. At last her steps led her into a poorer part of the city. All seemed to be keeping the holy festival, but in a more humble manner than the others. They seemed to be as happy and their harts fully as light. _ In one little cottage the curtains were drawn back, and it seemed as though the lie-ht streamed from the windows on purpose to cheer the poor and friendless like our little wanderer child. She felt sure of her success even before they came forward to welcome her and share with her their humble feast, and some brought to her their presents—when, as if some fairy touched her, this little beggar girl, as they supposed, dropped her disguise, and the Christ Child stood before them. And they knew no sorrow for the whole year that followed.