dedicated to Saints 



95 



Christmas, the joyous period of the year. 

 Now with bright Holly all the temples strow. 

 And with Lawrell green, and sacred mistleto." 



Gay. 



Gay is wrong in saying that Churches are decked 

 with mistletoe, as it never is allowed to enter the 

 Church, except by mistake. 



This festival of Christmas is the greatest feast 

 of all the year, being the celebration of the birth 

 of our Blessed Lord, " born, as at this time, of 

 a pure Virgin." It fills our hearts with gladness, 

 at the remembrance of the tidings of comfort 

 and joy" brought to us through the lowly shep- 

 herds of Bethlehem. 



Dec, 26. — S. Stephen, the Proto-Martyr. Purple 

 Heath. Erica purpurea. 

 The particulars of S. Stephen's death are de- 

 scribed in the seventh chapter of the Acts of 

 the Holy Apostles. Few can read unmoved that 

 simple and touching story of the cruel usage he 

 was subjected to; of his calling upon God to forgive 



