Edith Matilda Thomas

Christmas Post

    In Sulz-am-Neckar, when night shuts down,
      And the Christmas Eve has come,
    All through the little snow-white town
      There's a joyous stir and hum.

    Now here and now there, along the street,
      From windows wide open flung,
    Float childish laughter and prattle sweet
      In the kindly German tongue.

    For the happy moment at last is here,
      When each child a letter sends,
    Directed to _Christkindlein_ dear--
      The Children's Friend of Friends!

    Then, out at the window--strung on a thread,
      The precious letter is cast;
    Though far and high on the night wind sped,
      'Twill be found and read at last!

    In Sulz-am-Neckar, prompt as the day,
      The children awake to find
    Among the Christmas branches gay
      _Christkindlein's_ answer kind!