HOW THE CHRIST-FLOWERS CAME.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 32, 17 December 1897, Page 35 (Supplement)

HOW THE CHRIST-FLOWERS CAME.

Maky B. O\SuLr,ivA>', It was Christmas Eve in the Black Forest". The whirling snow touched the tree tops ; the starry Hakes clung to the branches or fluttered down, pure as rose petals watted about on the breath of angels. Soon the frozen earth was hid irom view and a great white world waited, in solemn expectation, the coming of the Christ-Child. Silence lay upon the Forest. The charcoal-burners tended their smoldering fires and dreamed of home, <ir. with simple faith, listened for the shepherds' int^;,»c and the angi IV song. When the midnight hour v»as nigh a sound broke upon the stillness, the wail oi a child in distress The charcoal-burners crossed themselves, and huddled closer to their fires. " Tis the cry from Bethlehem," said .Johann reverently. ''The Christ-Child is born.' 1 "No child of the Black Forest would be abroad to-night ?" asked Hans, uneasily. "It might not be one of our little children .'" "Not so," asserted Michael, a stuidy yiant. No Juiusmutter in the Black Forest could be so car le>». Content thee, Hans, thy little ones snug in their cot dream of the angcK while thy good fr/ni guards their sleep. It is, as Johann says, the echo from Bethlehem, or mayhap we have nodded and dreamed."

Hans was silent, but prseently stole away into the snowwreathed depths of the Forest. A voice in his heart was urging him on. " May the star of Bethlehem guide me aright," he prayed. "If a child be abroad this holy night, leial me, dear God, to Thy little one." Again the wail of distrsss smote upon his r ar ; a sob was the answer to his prayer ; and stooping dow n ihe charcoal-burner lifted from the snow a babe, scantily wrapped in nwaddling clothes. Its feeble strength was almost spent, so placing it 1:1 his breast Hans sped through the Forest towards his home. The Jiuusnnitter sat by her babe*, her face, beautiful with inother-lovc, radinnt in the glow of the Chri.-tmas lights burning on the humble tr. c. And so Hans found her. '• I have brought thee one more, Gretclien." he paid a* he placed the babe on her bosom. •• Succour it tor the Christ-Child's sake." •'Who was born to-night,"' anwirid ihe mother, gently, and her lo\e flowed out to the waif, worming it back to life. The slumbering children stirred and wakened, and seeing the stranger, ro^e from their cot, and presently The hut rang with their rejoicing. The lights on the tree twinkled like stars. The children bore their guest towards it, loaded him with its ehoicect gifts, and played about him merrily. Hans and Gretchen looking on, a great content in their hearts. Suddenly a radiance not of earth illumined the humble abode ; the waif was encircled by a glory that deepened and s-pread, till the charcoal-burnei - 's hut became as an anti-chamber of heaven. Hans and Gretchen fell on their knees in adoration. The babe they had harboured was passing from their vision, floating upwaid as if borne on angels' witgs, His tiny hands outspread in putting benediction The children wept for the loss of their playmate. '• Hush thee. my darlings," whispered the mother. ■• Know you 'twas the dear Christ-Child, who came to us, and hath returned to Heaven. To-morrow thy father shall show thee the spot where he found the Holy Babe." When the morrow came Hans led the little ones into the Forest, and where had been a bed of snow, lo ! Hovers bloomed, great waxen blossoms with hearts of gold and petals like silken floss. ■• The Christ-flow r ers !" cried little Greta, and kneeling before them, as at a shrine, the peasants solemnly recorded a vow to succour each Christmas Day some poor child in honour of the Holy One, who had been their guest. And so, in the Black Forest, is still told this legend of how the Chrysanthemums or Christ-flowers came.