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py . @ : Lod "sf ed | oh h) 2 ¢ 8 Christmas : Lesson The Child and The Kingdom Mathew 1: 18.28; 18: 14; 19, 13-15. i PRINTED TEXT, Matt. 1: 18-25; 18: 1.6; 19: 13.15 GOLDEN TEXT--A little child shall lead them. Isa. 11; 6. THE LESSON IN ITS SETTING TIME--The™ "annunciation to Joseph, the conception of the Virs gin Mary, and the birth of Jesus. all took 'place, probably, in. the year 6 B.C: The teaching of Jesus concerning childhood was given In the autumn of A.D. 20, PLACE--Mary's conception and the annunciation to Joseph aceur- red in Nazareth. The birth of Jes- us took place in Bethlehem. The teaching of Christ found in this lesson was given in Capernaum, Matthew 1: 18. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. The div- ine conception of the Virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit is given with much greater detail in Luke's Gospel (1: 26-38), Mark has writ- ten nothing whatever concerning the birth and childhood--of Jesus. Only Matthew and Luke tell the story of the supernatural birth, though John seems. to refer to it (1: 14). Matthew tells it to us from the standpoint of Joseph, who was betrothed to Mary, and therefore legally-her-husband.,"™ ° Message To Joseph 19. And Joseph her husband, being a' righteous man, and not willing .to make her a public ex: ample, was minded=to--put her away privily. "20. But when he theught- on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared un- to him in a dream, saying, Jos- _eph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; _ for that which is conceived in her Is of the Holy Spirit. 21. And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt cll his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins. "Jesus" was a very common Hebrew name: (Josh- ua) in its Greek form. It means "Jehovah's Salvation." God- tok hold of a name perfectly familiar, which set the new-born Child. among the children of men. ' Birth of Jesus 22. Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet," saying, 23, Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth'a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us. This prophecy is found in Isa. 7: 14. 24." And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord command- ed him, and took unto. him his wife; 25. and knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS, . The Little Child Matt. 18: 1, In that hout came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, ; Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2, And he called. to him a: little child, and set him in the midst of them. 8. And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no ~ wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. No one has yet given the perfect and ex- clusive interpretation of this pro- found idea -- it has been suggest- ed that Christ here means that we 'should be like children in hu- mility, in obedience, in indiffer- » ence to Lhe distinctions of rank and wealth, pure-hearted. 5. And whoso shall receive one such little child 'in my name receiveth me. Let us receive and cherish child- ren in Jesus' name, just as he would receive himself. - ; Let No Harm Come 6. But whoso shall 'cause one of 'these little ones that .believe on me to stumble;-it-is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea. How can _ we cause little children to stumble? By. letting them sce our own un- belief, cynicism; by letting them have their own way, by failing to restrain or discipline: them. Children cannot have a full know- ledge of Christian doctrines, but they can know Jesus as one who loves them, whom they can trust and pray to. Christ's Blessing 13. Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should lay his hands on them, and pray: and 'the disciples rebuked them, 14, But Jesus said, Suffer the "little children, and forbid "them not, to come unto me: for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven, 15. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. Palestine Has "11 Christmases ~ Different 'Dates Marked By SR Religious Groups in Country Note to little boys and girls iho. are sorry that Christmas comes but once a year: Palestine has 11 -- Christmas days, the only country in the world to have so many, They extend from the Latin ser- vices on Decombér-25-to the Abys- ainjan liturgy on March 25 and re- sult from a fourth century dispute, within the Christlan church over adoption of a unified calendar, Jullan, Gregorian Calendars Some Christians adopted the Gregorian = calendar," which- puts Ch: 'stmas on December 25th, while others retained the Jullan calendar and still others chose their own dates for Christendom's great festi- vals, . The "Abyssinian - church = cele brates the birth of Christ on the 25th of every month, but the great- est celebration «is the solemn lit urgy on March 25th. * On January 6th, under the Jul- ian calendar, comes the Greek |Or- thodox celebration, As Latin C. tians -did- on December 25, . bers of the Greek Orthodox com: munity will make a pligrimage i to the Bethlehem shrine and re-enact = the drama of Christ's birth, The British mandateigov ent - "of Palestine has recognized alli of these denominations and has given them equal rights and priviléges in all Christfan shrines, -~throughoot tho Holy Land. a is trees by the use of: lighted. oaridles, - * and, since medical authorities ara: interesting ;themselves In acaident prevention, this further word of ad- - '© vice comes' from National Health Headquarters, "It you must" cele' a Sona. at ~The Christ Child AR ALAIILLAAT LAL LL 1 UARKGKEIERRARRL 1% 1% 11 1 WAAATWRRRRRERN A TADON YA AND CALOD ~ TE LLO SILL 111 MABARAT J 1 3 5% 1 15 BTTIMARMLTIRRRRY. SS RS NL 3 Mane: IN THE STABLE "The little bulls dréw together Withthe doves softly whispering, While the ass wondered whether He wanted out or in, Pujjing at his rope and starting +t to. paw - Hs stall, scattering the straw. Each in his gentle way, uncasy, not at rest, s ~ Not knowing why oppressed And then the light! Not day or night, But something strange-- . So that they stopped all move- ment, waited-- | or . As if each moment now were freighted -- With some new thing their, vision's range, Till clearer, by the manger, they all saw Mother and child... - different and beyond And now no longer timid, stumb- ling, wild, Z They stooped above them-- seeing how they smiled-- : Knowing in some mut, kindly way that all was well, Not knowing what but feeling love was there. And Mary, raising happy eyes to them Christmas Day Flooded river and frosted roads, Creaking carts with heaped-up i loads, Wild duck winging through lead- en sky, : AY Christmas day is drawing night. Holly and mistletoe on the stalls Lanterns, streamers and colored balls, . Short the day and long the night, Merry games by candlelight. Silken down, Silent footsteps in the town, Icicles on the window pane, Christmas day is here again. snowflakes quivering T. Lovatt Williams: Pagan Evergreens "Decorating the house with ever- greens at Christmas is a pagan custom and an edict compiled at the Council o Bracara "forbade the people to deck their homes - with bay leaves and green houghs. Pagans believed that the sylvan "spirits would repair to them in: very cold weather, shelter be Ranged rownd her as if holden by neath their leaves and remain ur some spell, Lifted the babe with care, And blessed them gently-----dumb, Inarticulate, yet getting each "his share * Of .that great love which to the world 'had come. Moderation At nipped by frost and cold. Houses emblem, the sole-exception being York Cathedral, Dr, Stukeley tells us that it was customary to carry a branch of Sigiletes in proces- sion to the Righ altar and pro- claim a general indulgence and Christmas Time pardon of sins at the city gates. , "Too Much Christmas" Is To 'Bei Avoided . ' : Even at Christmas: time it is . . possible to have "too much of a good thing" say authorities. of the 1 Héalth at Ottawa, "Havo a Christmas without re- grots. The health-angle of Christ. maatide is important, Glowing fac- ©s of children and gladdened hearts of adults are signs of upsurging spirits, There is a close relation. "ship between happiness and. health, "Christmas gives everyono an op- - portunity: to discard unheaithy 1m00ds and repressions, and; to let the spirit of joy have full rein," - Sprit of Joy Fire marshals warn against ac- cidents setting fire to Christmas brate away from home, leave your car in the garage, and fake a tax) [I Department of Pensions and Na- * through " a i MISTLETOPICS One naturally thinks of Christ- 'mas-trees, 'holly, and mistletoe, Mistletoe géts its name from the German mist, expelled matter, The hard seeds are dispersed by birds passing them undigested their - bodies. thrushes often function =o. Mistletoe grows most dommon- ly, on 'apple. and other rosaceous #41 frees, yery rarely on oake. It gets; its nourishment by putting. suck- ers into the branches of its host. The sucker-bearing shoots display a weird kind of intelligence, ac- tually groping thelr way Along the branch for the -best food.supply. Missel/ Per, @hrist me Christmas Tree: English Origin legend Says Joseph of Arima. thea, Landing on Bleak Shores of Britain, Thrust His Staff Into the Ground-- It Became A Tree An old English legend tells ot the first Christmas tree. A¢cording "to this ancient tale, many years - ago Joseph of Arimathea geamo from Palestine to England to tell the people about the life and death of Christ. It was a long and very rough voyage that the people from Palestine had, as they journeyed in an open boat the entire distance, Landing on a shore where tliere were no dwellings, Joseph and his peoply took up their travel inland, hoping to find some ono to receive them and give them shelter and food. For some days they travelled,.. but everything was deserted, It was winter, and the peoplo of Eng- land were not about the fields, On Christmas eve. their food was ex- hausted and they were almost per- ishing, when Joseph, in discourage ment, dropped on a rack to rest, "A Sign From God" As he leaned against his 3th lie exclaimed: "My courage Has de- parted, and my hopo as dead. a3 this staff in my hands." ' As he spoke, Joseph- thrust tho staff into the ground, and a shiver went through jt. The dead wood be- gan to grow. Branches appeared from the knots on the staff, and the leaves appeared, Tho dry staff had changed to a noble hawthorn tree. "It is a sign from God," exclaim- cil Josep. "Let us end owr wander- ings and settle down here!" Strength and courage ret to the party from Palestine, They built a few rough shelters and be- side the hawthorn tres they buift a church. For many years the sac- red. thorn tree blossomed every year on Chris as eve, People de- corated this tree with lighted. can. dles and placed small thorn trees In their homes for the Yuletide. Later, that first church had ad- ditions built to accommodate 'the people who came to hear Christ's word and Jater became Glastonbury Abbey. The Beautiful Gift What can a mother her children Greater today than this one ' great thing-- - Faith in an old, sweet, beauti- ful story, A star--a stable--a new-horn King? give Shining faith in the young lad, Jesus; Lover of high white things was He; Jesus--straiglit as a [Lebanan cedar; Jesus--clean as the winds from the sea. Faith in the young lad come to manhood; Jesus, compassionate, tender and true-- Oh, my: children-----what more glorious . Gift in the world can 1 give to you? "Carry it high like 4 lanip in the darkness, . Hold it for warmth when the day is. cold Keep it for joy when youth goes singing, . "Clasp it for peace when. you "are old. What: ean a mother give her '+ children vr «+ Mora than a faith that will not dim? . Take it, my dear ones--hold it TT forever; A lamp for a lifetime~faith in Hin: HAL) ~-Grace Noll Crowell,' Ty whole tribe of + yens, "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" There, Was Born A "Saviour Who Is Christ the Lord" ---- Bethlehem or Tho House of Bread, was more anclently known as Ephrath or Fruitful, but fn mod. ern timed fs called Beitlahm or "House of Flesh," All three names are significant to Christlans whose Interest in ft arises from the tremendous fact that In- that little town was born Him Who was rightly called "The Bread of Life;" Who was to be the fruitful Head of a new race, wide- spread ad the world itself; and Who was there born in human flesh, though the Almighty Son of God, "House of Bread" Its history was by no means all bright and holy. Jacob hurrying along with a deathly sick wife, was compelled to halt nearby, while his greatly beloved Rachel gave birth to the little Benjamin, and then in her husband's arms died there. Her grave is still marked by a rough stone monument! - IL was in Bethlehem "that the yonng Levite lived, who Micah hir- cd' to be his chaplain, anil with whom ig connected the tragie story in the last chapters of the book of Judges. Tho terrible tale of wrong doing awd reprisals camo perilous- I¥ near to the destroying -of the Benjamin, within whose limits Bethlehem was situat- Coed. Its Past History Thither came the widow. Naomi, and her 'daughter-in-law Ruth, the Moabitess, mourners, bereft of all they had held dear. "Thero the young widow Ruth was wedded lo her wealthy kinsman Boaz, thereby becoming great-grandmother of tho Psalmist-King David, and also one of the progenitors of the Christmas King, the Lord-and saviour of Man- kind. Rehoboam, son of Solomon, made a fortified city of Bethlchem (2 Chronicles XI. 16) and later a fam- ous khan (corresponding to our ho- tel) was built there probably by Chfinham, son of Barzillat"the Gil- «dite wo muzl XVIL) when in trouble and was named atfer him (Jeremiah, XLI, 17), This khan appears to__ have been a place where caravans wero made up for loug journeys, and it was from thence that the re- bellious Jews, disregarding God's orders sot off for Egypt, carrying the prophet Jeremiah with them, It fave been that same khan, or in New Testament terms that inn, at which Joseph and Mary (Luke 11) applied for lodging, but could find no other accommodation than a stable in a grotto under, or near to it, wherein to spend the first of all Christmas Eves, although they were both of royal descent, des. coendants of King David himself! That poor "stable became the most famous bed-chamber in the whole world, for there amidst the cattle was: born the holy Baby, Who was God, the Creator of all things,. clothe in mortal flesh, that He-might become the Saviour of all who wished it from thelr sins! o The Poor Stable To tho stable came tho shep- herds called away from their own sheep-folds by a herald fn the hea- accompanied by - singing choirs of angels, who made the thrilling momentous announce: ment: "unto you {s born this day in the City of David, a Saviour who Is Christ the Lord"! (Luke 11, 11). : Nii thousands have knelt in sacred worship before that most holy shrine, once "a-lowly cattle shed," the only shelter this evil world could provide for its Maker, Redeemer and King, when in pity- ing love and tender saving mercy He camo to visit It, at the Christ: mas tide! befriended David (2 Sa- pale. Lagend Suriounds Christmas Fairy Gossamer Creature Was Once A Poor Unhappy Little Girl Have you ever wondered why the graceful, little falrles dressed fn the loveliest of gossamer gar- ments, with gleaming ornaments in thelr hair and dalnty wands In their hands, figure so prominently in Christmas decorations and festi- vities? An old Yuletide legend is the origin of this. Let me tell you tho story. Many, many years ago on a Christmas Eve a poor little girl named Mary was very unhappy. Mary was an orphan, which means she had neither a mother nor a fa- ther, and the old woman she lived. with made her very miserable by her cruel treatment, Snow lay deep en the ground, in the forest where Mary and the old woman lived. "I want some strawberries," safl the old woman. 'Go fetch ma some." Mary said that there could ba no strawberries growing in the snow but she was pushed out of doors into the forest. She sat down beneath a tive md began to cry, and while she ericd there camé a little gnome carrying a lantern, Nizht had coms on, and it was very dark, "Tell me why you are crying,' sald the gnome, Mary told him, and then tho gnome said: "1 am on my way to meet Santa Claus who fy coming from Toyland." This made Mary very happy, but all at ones a dark cloud covered the moon, and the gnome turned "I know this is tho work of the wicked underground gnomes, The) have, by their magi made the cloud over the moon so that Sante Claus cannot find the way to the earth, : Si "Quick!" said tho gunonte, take this lantern and hold tight to that fir tree!" Mary did as she was asked, while the gnome muttered somo magic words and the little tree grow. It gréw so quickly that' _ it reached right up to the sky, and T on top was Mary, holding the lant- ern. And by this means Santa was able lo find his way. "Make tho treo its proper size once more," sald Santa Claus af(er- wards. 'But when the tree became small agaln, on the top was -- no, not Mary, but ® beautiful fairy! The lit{lo girl had been transform- ed. And she never had to go back'to the - cross old woman but instead remained in Falryland where she lived happily ever after. RT Hoa SX