1182 TH E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S parents; it is wonderful in its “ homey” appeal,—the shepherds, an open heaven, a celestial pronouncement, a star, the wise men, a stable, a manger for a crib, a little baby. Could anything be more exquisitely simple ? All details appeal to the children, and all details command the awe, the wonder of all people, and call forth the highest character of praise, of thanksgiv ing and of holy exaltation of believers in the Babe of the Bible as the King of kings and Lord of lords. The appeal is different from anything and everything else that has touched the life of men. What is it? It is the voice of God speaking in it all,—speaking in terms of love to the chil dren of men; speaking of His unspeakable gift of the Son of His love,— the best He had, including all that He had,—given to a sinful world; a sacrificial gift so astounding that it staggers comprehension. Why the Gift? Because He loved men. Why the Gift? Because there was no other way by which God could save men from the guilt of sin; —no other way by which He could take them into His arms of love and into His heavenly home. A child with a holy human nature; a Son from the throne of God; a God-man destined for the cross as a sin-bearer; a gift from a loving broken-hearted Father to undeserving, sinful men. •Ring the bells of heaven for the joy it gives! Shout your praise! Give your gifts! Sing your hallelujahs! Give Him the place of honor—the best place—in your hearts, in your homes, in your lives! Tell the story, tell it out with a shout; tell of His love; tell of His cross; tell of the new life He gives; tell of its joys and of its fruitage; tell the children; tell the adults; tell your friends; tell the world that the Babe of Bethlehem, the Man of Galilee, the sin-bearing Saviour, the resurrected Son of God, the coming King,—is the One who makes Christmas the greatest of all days of the year and who will make eternity one glad, glorious “ holy-day” for all who now receive and follow Him. T. C. H. GRACIOUS GIVING People sometimes speak of the l‘ grace of giving, ’’ meaning the benev olent spirit, a kind and loving spirit in bestowing a favor or gift. The Book says, “ God loveth a cheerful giver,”—that is a “ hilarious” giver, one who is so happy in giving that he wants to shout and sing over the privi lege. Of course, this kind is a rare variety, but still possible to find. This kind of grace has to be cultivated. It is not native to the human heart. Not many people are greatly interested in laying up treasures in heaven. That bank seems too far away and vague. It has no very tangible meaning. It is a kind of clerical phrase. We like tangible assets, a bank-book—for instance—that shows a bal ance in real figures. Have you ever tried to personify a penny or a nickel? On Sunday morning delicate fingers drop a penny into the basket and the penny, blushing red, slips down to the bottom of the basket. You can hear them talking there. One says, “ I hate this church business. I was not born for grown people to use in putting it over upon the usher. Did you see how pious the lady looked when she parted company with me ? Next Sunday I will be around again at some other church. Some of these people just lay me up for a Sunday game. Those dignified nickel five-
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