Father Christmas's Message

Father Christmas's Message. 

By J. A. Atkinson

(This speech may be given at the close of a Christmas entertainment. A white wig and beard, fur coat and gloves are worn, and sleigh-bells are sounded before Father Christmas appears on the platform.)

Here I am again. The close of the year

Brings Old Father Christmas with his good cheer.

I'm cheery myself, and cheery I make

All folks who follow advice for my sake.

My advice is the same to all my friends :

Give and forgive, and quickly make amends

For what you do wrong. Let love be the rule.

Christians, be true at the season of Yule.

Old Father Christmas every one welcomes ;

I bring peace and happiness to all homes.

Away with the bad. Have nothing but good.

Do what I tell you. If only you would,

You'd all live at one in true brotherhood.

I always brighten up all hearts. The spell

Of Christmas can all gloomy thoughts dispel.

My friends, right pleased am I to see you here.

How are you all ? Pray come again next year.

I hope you've liked the fun we've had to-night ;

If so, then now applaud with all your might.

Santa Claus

Santa Claus.

By Julia C. R. Dorr.

 

(Let the first line be given by a small boy as a herald, carrying a trumpet, and dressed in tunic, tights, and velvet cap. The second line is taken up by Santa Claus, in costume of fur, with white beard and hair.)

A voice from out of the northern sky :

" On the wings of the limitless winds I fly,

Swifter than thought, over mountain and vale,

City and moorland, desert and dale !

From the north to the south, from the east to the west,

I hasten regardless of slumber or rest ;

O, nothing you dream of can fly as fast

As I on the wings of the windy blast !

" The wondering stars look out to see

Who he that flieth so fast may be,

And their bright eyes follow my earthward track

By the gleam of the jewels I bear in my pack.

For I have treasures for high and for low :

Rubies that burn like the sunset glow ;

Diamond rays for the crowned queen ;

For the princess, pearls with their silver sheen.

" I enter the castle with noiseless feet --

The air is silent and soft and sweet ;

And I lavish my beautiful tokens there --

Fairings to make the fair more fair !

I enter the cottage of want and woe --

The candle is dim and the fire burns low ;

But the sleepers smile in a happy dream

As I scatter my gifts by the moon's pale beam.

" There's never a home so low, no doubt,

But I in my flight can find it out ;

Not a hut so hidden but I can see

The shadow cast by the lone roof-tree !

There's never a home so proud and high

That I am constrained to pass it by,

Nor a heart so happy it may not be

Happier still when blessed by me !

" What is my name ? Ah, who can tell,

Though in every land 'tis a magic spell ?

Men call me that, and they call me this ;

Yet the different names are the same, I wis !

Gift-bearer to all the world am I,

Joy-giver, light-bringer, where'er I fly ;

But the name I bear in the courts above,

My truest and holiest name, is -- Love ! "

Winter's Children

Winter's Children.

By j. D. Moore.

(The children should wear some indication of the several characters they impersonate. Most elaborate and beautiful costumes might be used, but the simple device of a placard upon each child's breast bearing the name of his part will answer the purpose.)

Wind: I come from the cold and stormy North,

With a rush and a roar I hurry forth,

I toss from the trees the dead leaves down,

The withered leaves all sere and brown,

And sway the branches to and fro

As on my way I whirling go.

At crack and crevice I slip in,

And make a lively sounding din.

Swift I come and swift away,

With you I can no longer stay,

For I am wanted elsewhere now,

And so good-bye, I make my bow,

Frost [taking Wind's hand):

Hand in hand we ever go

Through the season to and fro.

I breathe upon the streams. They cease

Their murmurings and are at peace.

Upon each window pane I trace

The finest filmy glistening lace.

Each boy and girl, 'tis plain to see,

Hath still a welcome kind for me.

For on the lake they whirl and wheel,

You hear the click of polished steel

As swift upon their skates they fly

With joyous heart and flashing eye.

My breath blows cold. Health, joy, delight,

Follow my silvery sparkles bright.

Now Snow, who is my guardian sweet,

Will all my young friends fondly greet.

Snow (a little girl):

Over the earth so bare and brown

I spread a robe as soft as down.

Drifting, drifting down through space,

Hiding each unsightly place,

Touched to shimmering radiance bright,

In the moonbeam's mellow light,

By my brother Frost, for we (they join hands)

Both go hand in hand, you see.

North Wind goes gaily with us both,

To help us he is nothing loath.

And he and Frost and Rain combine

To give what in the clear sunshine

Shimmers sparkling -- pure and nice,

Transparent, white, and glistening Ice.

Ice: I cling to lofty gables, I rustle 'mid the snow,

I weave a gleaming covering

For lakes and streams. They know

That all must cease their murmuring

When Frost and I appear,

For we will hold them firm and fast

As long as we are here.,

Gleaming, glistening, sparkling,

Yet pure and clear and bright.

You'll find me 'neath a silver moon,

Each crisp, fresh winter night.

(Enter Old Winter)

Winter: What, ho ! my children, here I am,

I've sought you everywhere.

And now to busy work away,

For you must all prepare

To do your duty while I hold

In check your enemy,

The great round sun, whose rays with you,

My children, disagree.

Now up, away ! Wind, to the west

And come again in glee ;

And join with Frost and Snow and Ice,

In one grand jubilee.

And paint the cheeks with roses

Of all these children who,

Right joyously will run and shout,

My children dear, with you.

Away ! to work, you must not shirk

Your duties, dears ; and now,

To these, your firmest friends, make each

Your most engaging bow.

(All bow and retire Old Winter following.)

The Brownie Men

The Brownie Men.

By M. Nora Boylan.

(An exercise tor four little boys. They wear padded trousers of some cheap brown material and a loose shirt of same material in place of the school jacket. Skull-caps of same material, worn jauntity. Broad white rings about the eyes and charcoal lines upon face to produce resemblance to pictured Brownies.(elves or fairies) Jolly smiles and capers. Join hands and hop on one foot around tree or 'eader, before, between, and after verses.)

Merry, merry sprites are we,

Dancing round the Christmas tree.

We've a gift for every one

Though the last one is just done.

This has been a busy year,

And we hope we bring you cheer,

And when Christmas comes again,

Look for us -- The Brownie men.

Christmas Stories

Christmas Stories.

By Lettie Sterling.

(These stories may be said and done in concert, or each little child may give one verse by himself.

1. Hands held straight up so tips of fingers point toward ceiling.
2. Touch palm of hand with thumb, bring it back quickly.
3. Repeat b with 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th fingers.
4. Double the hand up.
5. Place the doubled-up hand on the back of the other.
6. Lift thumb and hold it up.
7. Lift 1st finger.
8. Lift 2d finger.
9. Lift 3d finger.
10. Lift 4th finger.
11. Hold hands in a listless way, with tips of fingers pointing toward floor for two first lines, and let the fingers gently swing. Near the close of the verse make the fingers still and rigid and hold them close together.
12. Have hands doubled up and held so that the child's eyes can look down upon the palm of the hand and see the nails of the four fingers-thumb out of sight.
13. Let fingers fly up quickly
14. Hold left hand as in a. Use the index finger of the right hand as a match, scratching it on the palm of the left hand and lighting the tips of each finger as if the fingers were candles.
15. Make a circle of a thumb and index finger of the right hand and slip it on and off each finger on the left hand.
16. Bunch fingers of left hand together so they can all touch the tips o! the thumb and form an opening for the window.
17. Bring the fingers of the right hand near and let them be boys and girls peeping in.
18. Double up hands, but instead of having thumb inside, let it stand straight up to be a tower.
19. Snap the fingers of one hand, then of the other.
20. Point far away with index finger.
21. Point toward an imaginary star.
22. Hold up the three middle fingers.

Chimneys standing in a row, (1)

Down each one will Santa go.

He goes down one, comes back alive, (2)

And then tries two, (3) three, (4) four, (5) and five. (6)

Santa has a wondrous pack, (7)

This he carries on his back ; (8)

From it he takes candies, (9) drums, (10)

Dolls, (8) books, (9) trumpets, (10) when he comes.

Near the -chimney stockings swing,

What to them will Santa bring?

All of them I'm sure he'll fill,

Make them round and stiff and still, (11)

Morning kisses curly heads

Lying snugly in their beds, (12)

O how quickly they hop out, (13)

Seizing stockings with a shout!

On the hemlock and the pine,

Light the candles, make them shine; (14)

String the rows of corn so white (15)

'Mong the gifts and tinsels bright.

Storemen's windows all look gay,

'Cause it's near to Christmas day. (16)

Come and look in, girls and boys, (17)

Get a peep at Christmas joys.

In high towers out of sight

Great bells ring with all their might ; (18)

Hear one, then another chime, (19)

Telling it is Christmas time.

In the distance, look afar, (20)

With their eyes upon the star, (21)

Come on camels wise men three, (22)

They the Christmas King shall see.

Little Snowflakes

Little Snowflakes.

By Ella M. Powers.

(Six primary children may sing these words to the tune, " Tiny Little Snowflakes'' in " Golden Robin," with the following finger-play.)

1. Hands waving up and down, fingers moving rapidly
2. Imitate the waving with hands and heads to right and left.
3. Quickly shake head and hands.
4. One sweep of hand across the desk.
5. Right hand raised as high as head, fist closed.
6. Abruptly bring fist down on desk.
7. Similar to (a).
8. Hands clasping and eyes upturned as if gazing with admiration at the tree

We are little snowflakes, (a)

Falling gently down,

On the fields and mountains

In the busy town.

Now the waving (b) spruce trees

Shaking (c) gently say,

Brush away this light snow, (d)

It's nearly Christmas day.

Then a man comes gayly

With his axe so bright, (e)

He chops down the spruce tree (/)

Early one fair night.

Then on Christmas morning

Children dance to see, (g)

Many lovely presents

On that stately tree, (h)

Dance of The Snowflakes

Dance of the Snowflakes.

By Alice E. Allen.

(The words of this motion song are adapted to the chorus of "Dream Faces." The children should be dressed in white gowns, white stockings and slippers, and wear caps made of white tissue paper, trimmed with silver stars.)

1.  Raise both hands, look up.
2. Move hand slowly back and forth, with floating motion.
3. Lower hands, and motion as if swaying cradle.
4. Drop head slowly to one side, close eyes as if sleeping.
5. While pianist plays last half of song slowly, children take hold of corners of skirts, and with waltz step dance from side to side, still with sleepy look and motion.
6. Stand erect, with eyes wide open.
7. Use forefinger of right hand as if enforcing command.
8. Raise both hands above head, and lower them slowly, with fluttering motion.
9. Drop heads, sing very slowly.
10. Shake heads sadly.
11. Look down as if searching for flowers.
12. While pianist plays as in 5 children repeat 5 very slowly, still looking down.
13. Music much faster and brighter. Children look up over right shoulder, as if afraid of being caught.
14. Whir round and round.
15. Bend to right, and then to left.
16. Fall lightly to floor.
17. Spring up with hands upraised.
18. Drop hands, smile.
19. All clasp hands, raise them high above heads, and dance lightly-backward and forward
20. Hold position 19; dance as in 5, only more rapidly.
21. Dejected position, heads bent down. Music very slow and sad.
22. Raise and lower right hand slowly.
23. Repeat with left.
24. Music strong and faster. Children raise on tip-toe of right foot, reach forward with motion as looking in window above them on their right.
25. Motion with forefinger of right hand as if counting stockings.
26. With skirts distended dance as in 20, smiling.
27. Right hand raised to ear, as if listening.
28. Shade eyes with right hand and look expectant.
29. Step forward, both hands extended as if in greeting, smiling.
30. Throw kiss to audience.
31. Pianist repeats all of song ; children dance as in 26, singing verse beginning " Bright stars are gleaming," and at last " Merry Christmas " throw kiss to audience.

We lived in cloudland, (1)

Floating here and there (2)

Over the mountains

And the valleys fair.

Winds swayed our cradles, (3)

Then we fell asleep, (4)

While far above us

Stars their watch did keep. (5)

"Wake," cried the North Wind, (6)

"You to earth must go." (7)

Down we fell fluttering (8)

Butterflies of snow.

Silently and slowly (9)

Through the winter hours,

Falling so sadly, (10)

Hiding grass and flowers. (11-12)

Then the wind caught us, (13)

Whirled us round and round, (14)

Dashed us and drove us, (15)

Piled us on the ground (16)

Flying up in frolic, (17)

Always glad and gay, (18)

Dancing and drifting (19)

All the stormy day. (20)

Now our play is over, (21)

Now the day is done,

Falling so sadly, (22)

Sadly one by one. (23)

Peeping in the windows (24)

Where the fires glow,

See the children's stockings (25)

Hanging in a row. (26)

Hark, in the distance (27)

Hear the merry bells!

Santa Claus is coming, (28)

Sweet their music tells!

Go we now to greet him, (29)

Listen as we call, --

Glad merry Christmas,

Merry Christmas all ! (30)

Bright stars are gleaming, (31)

Christmas cometh soon.

Joy bells are ringing,

All in merry tune.

We are Christmas snowflakes,

Singing as we fall, --

Glad, merry Christmas,

Merry Christmas all!