ers, and slew all
the children under two years of age that were in Bethlehem and its
neighbourhood. He thought by so doing to kill Jesus among them, but
God prevented him from doing so.

[Illustration: THE WISE MEN BEFORE THE KING.]

THE ANGEL'S TIDINGS.

It was night. In the fields near Bethlehem a company of shepherds kept
watch over their flocks. Probably they were holy men, and often
thought of God in the stillness of the early morn. And now they may
have been thinking of the coming of the promised Messiah.

While watching their flocks, the angel of the Lord came to these
shepherds, and a dazzling light shone round about them. They were much
afraid; but the angel said, "Fear not; for behold I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is
born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the
Lord." And suddenly there was with the angel a great multitude of the
heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, good will toward men."

When the angels had departed, the shepherds returned to Bethlehem; and
there, in a stable, they found the infant Jesus, lying in a manger,
watched over and cared for by His mother Mary and Joseph. And so great
was the surprise and joy of the shepherds that they went out and told
all they met of the wondrous things which they had seen.

Shortly after the visit of the shepherds, the wise men from the East
reached Bethlehem, and in a house they found Joseph, and Mary, and
Jesus. Then they fell down and worshipped Jesus, opening the treasures
they had brought, and offering Him precious gifts, gold and
frankincense and myrrh. But God warned them not to go back to Herod,
to tell him where the new-born King of the Jews was, and they returned
to their own country another way.

[Illustration: THE SHEPHERDS WORSHIPPING THE INFANT JESUS.]

JESUS IN THE TEMPLE.

When Jesus was twelve years of age, His parents took Him with them to
Jerusalem to the feast of the Passover. Great numbers journeyed from
different parts to keep this feast; and travelled in companies or
caravans, the women and old men riding on asses or mules, and the rest
going on foot. Thus Joseph and Mary, with Jesus, left Nazareth, and
with many others journeyed to Jerusalem, where they kept the Passover.

When the feast was ended, as they returned homewards, Joseph and Mary
discovered that Jesus was missing; but supposing