able in which they sought
refuge was a rough cave, such as are to be found in that neighborhood
now. So, let us note at the beginning that Jesus, the Savior, was born
amidst the most humble surroundings, and also that when the angels
came to announce His birth, they did not choose to tell the good news
first to the rich and the powerful, but brought the wonderful story to
the humble shepherds who watched their flocks by night on the
hillside. But it was not to stop there. No, God wanted the world to
know that the kingdom of love which came with the birth of Jesus was
for the high and the lowly alike. So, by the brilliant star He guided
the wise men from the east to worship Him and place at His feet the
precious jewels and costly gifts, which show that they were men of
great wealth and wisdom.

"So, we see, the coming of Jesus was to bring a blessing to all
men. It was to be a kingdom of love which would include the whole wide
world, 'for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that _whosoever_ believeth in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.'

"Let us remember that God 'gave' His Son to the world--it was the
first and greatest Christmas Gift. We can never repay Him for this
marvelous expression of His love. All we can do is to endeavor every
day of our lives to do good and thus give as best we can of the
blessings which have come from Him.

"At Christmas time we seem to have no difficulty in showing kindness
to those about us. The earth is filled with His spirit, so that in
millions of churches and homes throughout the world today we find a
reflection of the star of Bethlehem in the countless shining candles
and glittering electric lights which adorn the Christmas trees. [Draw
candle flames and rays in orange. Draw tree in green, and use brown to
fill in the trunk and the foundation. This completes Fig. 24.]

[Illustration: Fig. 24]

"Yes, everywhere that we see the sparkling candles or little electric
lights, let us think of them as reflecting the light of the star of
Bethlehem, to guide us to Him, just as the wise men were guided to
that humble manger-cradle in Bethlehem. Many there are, we know, who
make merry at Christmas, while shutting Jesus out of their lives.
They know not the blessing of the warmth of Christian love which He
brought into the world, which is for them, if they will only accept
it.

"But let us look at our own lives and see if we are reflecting the
true sp