T. And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

S. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

T. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger.

S. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,

T. Praising God, and saying:

S. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will to men.

T. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us.

S. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

T. Through the tender mercy of our God, S. The dayspring from on high hath visited us. T. To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

S. To guide our feet into the way of peace. T. His name shall endure forever: and men shall be blessed in him:

S. All nations shall call him blessed.

EXERCISE XLV.

CHRISTMAS.

II.

Teacher. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa, in the days of Herod the king, behold there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem,

School. Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

T. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

S. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

T. And they said, In Bethlehem of Judæa.

S. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

T. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship bim also.

S. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star which they saw in the east went before them till it came and stood over where the young child was.

T. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

S. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him.

T. And when they had opened their treasures, S. They presented unto him gifts: gold and frankincense and myrrh.

T. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

S. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

All. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will to men.

EXERCISE XLVI.

NEW YEAR.

Teacher. Lord, thou hast been our dwellingplace in all generations.

School. Before the mountains were brought forth,

T. Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world,

S. Even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God.

T. A thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past,

S. And as a watch in the night.

T. We spend our years as a tale that is told. S. The days of our years are threescore years and ten;

T. And if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; S. For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. T. So teach us to number our days

S. That we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

T. Of old hast thou laid the foundations of the earth,

S. And the heavens are the work of thy hands.

T. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure, S. Yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment;

T. As a vesture shalt thou fold them up and they shall be changed:

S. But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.

T. Happy is that people whose God is the Lord.

S Happy is he whose hope is in the Lord his God.

T. The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him,

S. And his righteousness unto children's children.

All. O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us.