3-053-613 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"My First Christmas" - drawn by A. Hunt, 1873. 'See! I am Baby! Here am I! Now, don't you think I'm going to cry! No; I as well as you am able To meet the company at table; For though, since I was born and nurst, This merry Christmas is the first, And scarce three hundred days have shed Their sunshine on my little head, And though my loving eyes have seen A single summer's living green, Nor yet to me was shown or told The reign of winter, dark and cold...As plants on sap, on milk I fare, A human flower, without a care; Yet not so rooted in the sod, But growing freely up for God, And gaining strength of soul and limb To work and pray and walk with Him - If when I learn to judge and will His grace shall guide my manhood still - Though I am little, as you see, The least, the last, a toy of glee, A plaything merely of your sport, I am a creature of that sort For whom, to bring His peace on earth, This day the Saviour came in birth; So let the Baby's presence tell That Christmas tale of love, as well As Christmas pleasures at the board, Or by the fire, a yearly hoard Of festive friendliness you spend, And cheerful bid the year to end. Big folks are wise! yet so it may be, Not one of you knows more than Baby!' From "Illustrated London News", 1873.