Garfield Junior High School - Gleaner Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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BLACK SHEEP Esau, with his tall shepherd ' s staff, skillfully guided the sheep up the trail. Proudly, he watched the one black sheep scramble behind the leader. On that sheep, depended the life of Esau ' s mother. His father would take it into Bethlehem on the morrow and the priest would offer it as a burnt offering to the Almighty, so that his mother would be well again. True, he would be sorry not to see it scamper about, but he would be far more sorry if his dear mother were to die. It was a clear, cold night as Esau herded the sheep to the pasture grounds on the summit of the hills. The stars shone brightly and twinkled merrily, trying to sparkle the glad tidings to those human beings — the tidings that were to glorify the world. Esau noticed the one particularly bright star which seemed to throw a pathway of light beyond the walls of the city. Yes! It would be a grand night. The shepherds huddled around the fire would be singing to the heavens. There he was, almost at the top, just around the turn. The path, here, was very narrow and steep. Esau dreaded this place. When one looked down so far, one felt a hollow feeling in his stomach. On this side of the path, the hill went straight down, its steepness, undented except for a small rock ledge, a few feet from the trail. There! He was past the turn. He had been leading the sheep at this part of the journey and as he looked back he immediately noticed the absence of the black sheep. He stopped and carefully watched each sheep as it rounded the turn, and still no black sheep appeared. Sick with fear, Esau thought of the steep mountain side, and mother. First, the other sheep must be led still farther, then he would return. Oh, yes! then he would return. As he walked, silently, down the trail, the stars, which before had seemed so beautiful, now seemed to mock him. He rounded the dreaded turn and peered anxiously over the edge. But what! T here it lay on the small ledge, just beyond his grasp. It was lying down and its breath was coming in gasps. If it would only stand up, then he could lift it onto the trail. Esau prodded it gently with his staff, but it didn ' t stir. He spoke and sang softly to it, but to no avail. Oh! if it would only get up. Esau lay on the trail far into the night, until his every muscle was stiff, waiting until it would finally rise. And then the most beautiful happened. From behind the clouds, hosts of angels appeared, singing Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Then slowly, oh so slowly, the black sheep began to rise. Idella Searl, High Eight. ★ ★ ★ Madonna Standing there in silence, Abiding, blessed, mild, Pure in thy stately calm, Bearing the Holy Child. Fair and gentle one, Glowing with God ' s might, As hidden heavenly hosts Sing of the Savior ' s might. Marie Morholt, Low Nine. [23]

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POEMS BY JOAN HAUSER Low Eight Christmas Chimes Ring softly o ' er the world, sweet chime, Tell all ivho live ' tis Christmas time. We love the pealing of the bell, Which, in its ringing, seems to tell The glory of the first Noel. What say the bells as soft they ring? What is the message that they bring? Why peace on earth, good will toward men, Though ages old, ' tis new again, And just as welcome, now ' , as then. Ring clear and siveet, ring loud and wide. Ring in the joyous Christmas-tide. Toll out to nations, far and near Your message is for all the year. Ring out, Oh, bells, so all can hear. Madonna Queen of mothers, Oh, Mary, art thou: A halo of light shines on thy brow; Gently thou hold est thy Holy Son — The Son of God, the Perfect One. A heavenly light is in thine eyes, Thou hast heard a message from the skies — The angels singing the sweet refrain, Peace on earth, good will toivard men. ' ' 1 Lullaby Sleep, little Babe, on your bed of hay, A star shines, brightly, o ' erhead. It turns the dark night to the brilliance of day. God ' s glory shines all ' round your bed. Sleep, little child, in your soft, snowy bed. Sleep, as the Babe, long ago. God ' s glory, also, shines ' round your head And the Christmas star is aglow. [22]

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Madonna and Child Madonna bent Her head and smiled Upon the Holy Angel Child. The halo ' round Her head did shine, And Mary said, This Child is Thine, Unto the Lord! The Angels sang in Bethlehem , Of peace on earth, good will toward men. And came to worship from afar, Guided by a radiant star, Three Wise -men I He ivas, they said, upon His birth, Born to be the Lord of Earth. Of mortals ' souls, He was the Guide; A Savior bom, a martyr died. He is the Lord! Dorothy Easson, Low Seven. The Birth of Christ Long, long ago, three very wise men Were riding their camels to Bethlehem. Their guide had been a gleaming star, That led them to Him from afar. All night long the angels did sing, Of the little Lord Jesus, the new-born King. Phyllis McCarter, Low ' Eight. A Tale of Bethlehem The stars of Bethlehem, one night, Shone on a babe, their holy light, This babe was born on Christmas Day, And shepherds, homage came to pay. The angels sang with golden voice, The burden of their song — Rejoice! The bells, so sweet, rang in the morn, ' Tis Christmas and the Christ Child ' s born. That day is gone. We ' ll not forget, That Jesus came — ' Tis ivith us yet, That phrase repeated oft again: Peace be on earth! Good will to men. Mary Grot, High Nine. [24]