And out of them thrust forth the little birds, and after them the
lilies, for a moment living; but even as Hyacinthe looked, settling
back into the sweet reddish-brown wood. Then the stranger smiled
again, laid all the tools in order, and, opening the door, went away
into the woods.
Hyacinthe crept slowly to the door. The winter sun, half risen, filled
all the frosty air with splendid gold. Far down the road a figure
seemed to move amid the glory, but the splendor was such that
Hyacinthe was blinded. His breath came sharply as the glow beat on the
wretched shed, on the old shavings, on the cabinet with the little
birds and the lilies carved at the corners.
He was too pure of heart to feel afraid. But "Blessed be the Lord,"
whispered Hyacinthe, clasping his slow hands, "for He hath visited and
redeemed His people. But who will believe?"
Then the sun of Christ's day rose gloriously, and the little sparrow
came from his nest among the shavings and shook his wings to the
light.
[*] Reprinted by permission of the publishers of "Everyland."
THE SHEPHERD WHO DIDN'T GO[*]
By Jay T. Stocking
You have all heard of the shepherds who went to Bethlehem, but I do
not believe any of you have heard of the shepherd who didn't go. The
Bible does not say anything about him, but his story has come to me,
and I am going to tell it to you.
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