Long, long ago, in the blue sky above the hills of Bethlehem, twinkled
the stars. Very early in the morning they would sing together and would
tell each other of what they had seen during the long night.
They used to watch the shepherds guarding their flocks upon the
hillsides, and one bright evening star that looked down upon the
earth earlier than the others, would tell stories of little children
whispering their prayers at the twilight hour. One wintry night a new
star came to visit the other stars. It was so radiant that its rays
shone upon the gray hills and made them light as day. It had come on
a wonderful errand. The shepherds saw it and were frightened at its
strange brightness; but an angel came to them and said: "Do not be
afraid; the star has come to bring you good, tidings of great joy, and
to show you the place where a little babe is born,--a little babe whose
name is Jesus, and who will give peace and joy to the whole world."
Then the shepherds heard some singing,--beautiful singing, for a great
many angels had come to tell the good news; and the star grew larger and
brighter, it was so glad. When the angels had gone back to Heaven,
the shepherds said, "Let us go and see this child." So they left their
flocks sleeping on the hillsides, and took their crooks in their hands
and followed the star, which travelled on and on till it led them to the
little stable in Bethlehem, when the Baby Jesus was cradled in a manger.
Then the star moved on again to a country far away, where some good,
wise men lived. They saw the bright light, and noticed the star moving
on and on, as if it were showing them the way to go. So they, too,
followed the star till it rested above the birthplace of Jesus. Then the
wise men went in and gave their best gifts to the baby, and they and the
shepherds knelt and thanked God for sending the little Christ Child to
be the best Christmas present the great world ever had. The star watched
over them, casting a peaceful light over all. At last the dawn came over
the hill tops, and the star went away, far back into the blue heavens,
to tell the other stars the story of our first glad Christmas day.