Star Over Bethlehem: Christmas Stories and Poems

What Is Love? (#litres_trial_promo)

To M.E.L.M. in Absence (#litres_trial_promo)

Remembrance (#litres_trial_promo)

A Choice (#litres_trial_promo)

My Flower Garden (#litres_trial_promo)

Enchantment (#litres_trial_promo)

Jenny by the Sky (#litres_trial_promo)

Verses of Nowadays

From a Grown-up to a Child (#litres_trial_promo)

I Wore My New Canary Suit (#litres_trial_promo)

Racial Musings (#litres_trial_promo)

Picnic 1960 (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)

STAR OVER BETHLEHEM

STAR OVER BETHLEHEM

and other stories

by

Agatha Christie Mallowan

Decorations by

Elsie Wrigley

For Hydie

A Greeting

Praise to the Yule Log!

Leap, Flames, merrily.

Hail to the Wassail Bowl!

Bubble,Wine, rosily!

In the Manger lies the Child;

Asses, Oxen, braying, lowing,

Cackling Hens and Cocks a’crowing.

Overfull the Inn to-night,

Up above a star shines bright,

Shepherds kneel beside their fold,

Wise Men bring their gifts of Gold,

Angels in the Sky above

Trumpet forth God’s gift of Love.

Waken, children, one and all,

Wake to hear the trumpet call,

Leave your sleeping, ’tis the Day,

Christmas, glorious Christmas Day!

Star over Bethlehem

Mary looked down at the baby in the manger. She was alone in the stable except for the animals. As she smiled down at the child her heart was full of pride and happiness.

Then suddenly she heard the rustling of wings and turning, she saw a great Angel standing in the doorway.

The Angel shone with the radiance of the morning sun, and the beauty of his face was so great that Mary’s eyes were dazzled and she had to turn aside her head.

Then the Angel said (and his voice was like a golden trumpet):

‘Do not be afraid, Mary....’

And Mary answered in her sweet low voice:

‘I am not afraid, Oh Holy One of God, but the Light of your Countenance dazzles me.’

The Angel said:‘I have come to speak to you.’

Mary said:‘Speak on, Holy One. Let me hear the commands of the Lord God.’

The Angel said: ‘I have come with no commands. But since you are specially dear to God, it is permitted that, with my aid, you should look into the future....’