THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NESS the shepherds would draw close to the fires to keep warm, and they would keep wide awake so they could see or hear if any wild animal came near or hurt the sheep, and we know they would be looking up at the stars, just like we do when we are out at night, and I always look at the stars at night more when I am away from home and feel lonesome, for I think of the same stars shining over the folks at home, and the shepherds too would be think ing of the wives and children at home. You know how very still it is at night When everybody has gone ' to sleep and it was quiet this night when the shepherds were looking into the sky, and then suddenly way in the night, a wonderful light shone in the sky. They knew it was not the moon or the sun, for it was a different light than anything they had ever seen, a silvery, white light right in the center of the sky, and in this wonderful light w.as a shining angel, coming nearer and nearer to their camp fire. Were the shepherds frightened? Yes, ipdeed they were, and so would you and I have been too. Listen what the angel said to them, (verse 9.) The angel knew they were frightened, and he said, “ Fear not.” We know the angel’s face must have been smiling, for we cannot tell good news without smiling. Now, listen what the good news was. (Repeat verse 10 slowly.) Wasn’t it good of God to send a special angel messenger to these Bethlehem shepherds with the best news the world has ever heard? They were to tell it to others which they did; and ever since good people have been talking and singing all over the world about these “ good tidings of great joy.” (Teachers go on with this story in all its details, picturing out in story each verse of the lesson. Study and pray over the lesson until you your- self are saturated and thrilled to over flowing, and it will live again in the hearts of the boys and girls). Now of course this was the very first Christ-
1095 mas day! Every year when Jesus’ birthday comes round-—just as yours and mine— Christ’s children give gifts to each other and help the poor, and they praise God for the most wonder ful gift in all the whole wide world, Jesus our Saviour who came as a little baby on that wonderful night, and let us be very happy, for Christmas means peace and love and kindness and joy. Just as the shepherds followed the star and found Jesus, so every one of us today want to follow Him and do His way, and like the shepherds let us tell this good news to everybody we know. ' Closing Prayer. Dear Lord Jesus, we thank thee for doming down to earth as a baby to be our Saviour, and help us to love thee and tell others this story. THE BEST AMMUNITION Dr. Jowett said, “ There are forces besides those which are supplied by munitions. The moral and spiritual forces of a nation are after all, its mightiest equipments. If the morals of a people suffer, if its ideals grow dim, if its spiritual vision becomes faint— all the munitions in the world will not secure its triumph; and, indeed, if such a nation were to snatch a victory, it would be devoid of ultimate worth and glory.” PRESENT BODIES' In the presence of high authority the soldier obeys the order which comes with a click, “ Present Arms.” He stands erect, eyes front, heels together and grasping his gun with both hands, brings it diagonally across his chest with a snap. The command to the saint is “ Present Bodies.” How is this done? It is the yielding of a living being to God in every part: yielded, that is, FOR USE (Rom. 12:1).— Rev. Paul Rader.
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