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CHRISTMAS IN LEGEND AND STORY



Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes
Wherein our Saviour's birth, is celebrated,
The bird of dawning singeth all night long:
And then, they say, no spirit dares stir abroad;
The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike,
No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,
So hallow'd and so gracious is the time.

SHAKESPEARE.



CHRISTMAS
IN
LEGEND AND STORY

A BOOK FOR BOYS AND GIRLS


COMPILED BY

ELVA S. SMITH

CARNEGIE LIBRARY
PITTSBURGH

AND

ALICE I. HAZELTINE

PUBLIC LIBRARY
ST. LOUIS


ILLUSTRATED
FROM
FAMOUS PAINTINGS


1915



CHRISTMAS IN LEGEND AND STORY



PREFACE

In our experience in library work with children we have learned that it is
very difficult to find Christmas stories and legends which have literary
merit, are reverent in spirit, and are also suitable for children. This
collection has been made in an endeavor to meet this need, and thus to be
of service to parents, teachers, and librarians.

Most of the stories and poems in this book are of the legendary type. They
have been chosen from a wide variety of sources and represent the work of
many writers. There are other stories also, which, although not strictly
traditional, have the same reverent spirit and illustrate traditional
beliefs and customs. These have been included for their literary value and
their interest for young people.

In the arrangement of the selections we have followed the natural order of
the events in preference to grouping