They opened, then, their treasures, Gold, frankincense and myrrh-- Fit offering to a Prince Divine, From reverent worshipper-- And joyfully bestowed their gifts Upon the Son of Man-- And thus the custom, since observed, Of Christmas gifts began. The wise men to their lodging went, For rest and sleep, that night; But God came to them in a dream, Before the morning light; And said, "To Herod ye shall not return, Nor tell my Son's abode." And so returning to their home, They took a different road. Away to Egypt. AND when they had departed thence, To Joseph came a dream, In which an angel of the Lord Appeared and spoke to him: "Rise, take the babe and mother, And into Egypt flee. For Herod seeks to kill the child-- Go, till I call for thee." Then Joseph rose, obedient, And while it still was night, With the young child and mother, To Egypt took his flight. Then cruel, wicked Herod, When the wise men told him naught, Or let him know what house contained The babe whose life he sought, Sent forth his brutal servants To kill each little boy, In and around old Bethlehem-- Each mother's hope and joy; All--every tender nursling, From two years old and less; Nor heeded Rachael's weeping, Her mourning and distress. But wicked, wicked Herod, Who would be king alone, Was soon thereafter called to die, And leave Judea's throne. And now the wrathful tyrant Has no more power to harm; And his fierce and jealous hatred No more can cause alarm. To Joseph, down in Egypt, Now comes another dream, Wherein an angel of the Lord Appears again to him; And says: "Now, back to Israel's land With child and mother go; For he, the murderer, is dead, Who was the infant's foe." Then Joseph rose and willingly Obeyed this new command, And, taking child and mother, Returned to Israel's land. But hearing Archelaüs Was king in Herod's room, He turned aside to Galilee, Which was his former home; And dwelt in Nazareth city, Thus plainly may be seen The truth of Scripture words: "He shall Be called a Nazarene." And there the blessed Jesus Spent childhood's simple days, And, as he grew, waxed strong and wise By God's unholding grace. [Illustration: THE CHILD CHRIST, MARY HIS MOTHER AND JOSEPH JESUS RENDERED OBEDIENCE, NOT ONLY TO MARY, BUT TO JOSEPH--LUKE 2:51.] The Child in the Temple. NOW, every year, these parents Jerusalem did seek; To keep the feast of passover, And spend the holy week. And when the child was twelve years old, They did as heretofore; And went up to Jerusalem, The road oft traveled o'er. They kept the feast as usual, And, then, with cheerful mind, Returned the way that they had come-- But Jesus stayed behind.