the grace of Him with whom all things are
possible) are also modest in their minds and ready to be pleased with
unbought pleasures, they simply share in the best things which are
provided for all.'

"None of us may ever be rich in earthly possessions, but even the
strife after the money necessary for our actual needs may shut out our
vision of the things of greater value. Let us always hold fast to that
which is good, remembering always that a good name is rather to be
chosen than great riches.

"Let us put out of our lives all envy, all jealousy, all desire for
the artificial, and learn the lessons of humility, patience,
confidence and good cheer which are all about us if we but turn our
faces and our hearts toward them."

THE CHRIST-CHILD
--Christmas
--Giving

A Lesson From the Story of the Shepherds and the Wise Men.

THE LESSON--That the Light that was shed when the Christ-Child came
to earth now brightens the farthest corners of the world.

Nothing is more beautiful and impressive than the story of the
Christ-Child. It cannot be repeated too often, and it is essential at
Christmas time.

~~The Talk.~~

"Let us hear once more the wonderful story of the shepherds who played
such a large part in the first Christmas. [Read Luke 2:8-18. When you
reach the words, 'Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,' draw the lines
representing the city, using brown crayon. On completing the reading
of verse 18, continue the narrative by reading Matthew 2:1-2 and
2:9-11. When you reach the words, 'the star which they saw in the east
went before them and stood over where the young child was,' draw the
star, with its rays, in orange, completing Fig. 23. This ends the
reading.]

[Illustration: Fig. 23]

"I wish we could picture to ourselves the scene in Bethlehem when
Jesus was born. We are told that there was such an immense crowd there
that Joseph and Mary could find no shelter in the inn, but we should
know that this does not mean a hotel, for they had nothing of this
kind in Bethlehem. Indeed, it would not have been required, because
all that the thousands of visitors needed was the permission to sleep
on the floor on their own mats which they brought with them. This is
the custom even today. It was a sacred duty of every Jew to give
shelter to his countrymen who were on a journey, so, instead of an
inn, the real meaning is that there was no room for them in any house
in Bethlehem. It is probable that the st