And Jean began to wonder about that beautiful tree and
wish that one would grow at his house. And he thought about his wooden
shoes and knew there would be no goodies in them for him in the
morning. Then he heard one boy say, "Don't you love Christmas?" And
Jean said, "Christmas! why, what is Christmas?" But just then the
teacher came in and said, "Boys, come into the church now and hear the
music." And so the boys marched one behind the other just as they do
in school here, and they went into the great church. Jean thought it
was beautiful in there! The soft light, the warm pleasant air, the
flowers, and the marble altar, and then the music! Oh, such music Jean
had never heard, and somehow as he sat on the high-backed bench and
listened, his own heart grew very warm although he could not
understand why, and he loved so to hear them singing: "Peace on earth,
good will to men." And it began to sing itself over and over in his
heart, this sweet, sweet song of "Peace on earth, good will to men."
Then the time came to go home, and the boys all shouted, "Good-bye,
Jean! and Merry Christmas!" And though Jean didn't know about "Merry
Christmas," he kept singing in his little warmed heart, "Peace on
earth, good will to men," and then he was glad the other boys could
have the tree and the goose and the wooden shoes full of goodies even
if he couldn't.
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