as our Saviour, Tommy; and now at this Christmas time we are remember ing the earthly birthday of our Sav iour. What a wonderful day it was, nearly two thousand years ago, when our Lord Jesus left His beautiful home in glory to come into this dark, sinful world as a Babe in Bethlehem’s man ger! Angels bent low that night to announce the good news of His birth to the shepherds on the Judean hills, and a star of wondrous light, seen by the Wise Men, caused them to travel across desert sands to the very pliace where Jesus was, that they might lay their gifts at His feet. Yes, Christ mas should be kept as His earthly birthday. And if it is His birthday, Tommy, who then should receive the gifts?” asked Uncle John, looking to ward Tommy, who had been sitting very quiet as he listened eagerly to the story of that first Christmas Day. “Why — Jesus should — of course,” answered Tommy thoughtfully, as he remembered his own last birthday and all the fine gifts he had received. “ I guess, Uncle John, that I had forgot ten about Him on His birthday,” Tom my added, looking down at the floor. “ But tell me, what can I give Him?” “Well, Tommy, you have already given Him the very best gift,” con tinued Uncle John, as he put his arm about the shoulders of his nephew. “ You have accepted Him as your Sav iour and have given Him the gift of yourself; that is the first gift, and that brings Him great joy. But how it would rejoice His heart if you could tell some friend about Him and get that friend to receive Jesus as Saviour! Do you think you could do this, Tom my, and become a soul-winner at this season when we are remembering His birthday? This would be a wonderful gift.” “ I’ll try, Uncle John,” replied Tom my. “ I know two boys who never even go to Sunday-school.” “ Perhaps you could give some gift, too, in Jesus’ name, to some who do not have as many things as you have,” continued Uncle John, as he watched the interest and eagerness on Tom my’s face. “ I’ll do it, Uncle John, I really will,” said Tommy as he rushed to the fire with his long list of Christ mas wishes. And that night, before Tommy went to sleep, a brand-new list lay on his table. And such a long list it was, too! The names of all the poor boys and girls in his room at school were written there. Opposite each was d gift listed; and some of the gifts were his own best games and toys. And at the bottom of the page, written in large letters, were these words: “ FOR HIS BIRTHDAY.”
JUN IOR K ING 'S BUSINESS FEATURES
Tommy’s
Christmas
List
by Martha S. Hooker
seemed to Tommy a long, long time, Uncle John leaned back in the chair and began talking in a heart-to-heart fashion. “ Christmas is such a blessed CHR ISTMAS SONG FOR CH ILDREN Green trees talk at Christmas time, Low and very low. Wist ye what the green trees say, Children, do you know? Speak they of a golden room, Toys upon the floor, Twinkle-candles in a row? Yes, of these— and more. Green trees talk at Christmas time, Low and very low, Of the world's first Christmas tree, Long and long ago. There was neither golden room. Toy, nor candle-gleam; But there was a Light indeed— Wist ye of its beam? It was still, oh very still, Out on Calvary When God hung His Christmas gift, Christ, upon the Tree. Now, when Christmas candles shine. Now, when yule-logs sing Children, hush, and bow the head, Once— remembering. — Helen Frazee-Bower season, Tommy. It’s the time when we remember the day so long ago when God gave to the world His best of all gifts, the Gift of His only Son. You and I have both accepted Him
W hen Uncle John came into the room, Tommy was very busy at Mather’s desk with pencil and pa per — so busy, in fact, that he did not look up from his writing to greet his visitor. This was very unusual, for uncle John was Tommy’s favorite uncle. “Well, Tommy, my lad,” began Un cle John, after he had stood in the room for a few minutes unnoticed, “ what’s this important letter you’re writing?” “ Oh, it’s not a letter — but — a list,” replied Tommy slowly, scarcely looking up from the desk. “ A list?” repeated Uncle John, “ a list of all your aunts and uncles and cousins, I suppose?” “ Oh, no, Uncle John — don’t you know that Christmas is only two weeks away? I’m writing out a list of the things I want most of all for Christ mas; I thought Mother and Daddy might like to have it.” “ You are a helpful lad,” teased Un cle John, as he chose a comfortable chair by the fireplace. “Would you mind letting me have a look at that list?” Tommy, remembering Uncle John’s generous gifts in the past, eagerly granted this request, and was soon seated on the arm of his uncle’s chair, while Uncle John adjusted his glasses and began reading aloud the long Christmas list: “Roller skates, a ball and bat,” and on to the very last item, “ a brand-new bicycle.” “That’s a very interesting list, my boy — but I thought your birthday was in July,” commented Uncle John. “ It is,” replied Tommy, “ but this is a Christmas list.” Privately, Tommy was thinking, “Uncle does act so stu pid. He doesn’t seem to understand what Christmas is for.” After looking at the list for what
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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