"Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." While the angel was speaking, thousands and thousands of heavenly voices were heard singing. music heard on earth before.

their

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earth peace,

Never was such

And what was

"Glory to GoD in the highest, on peace, good will to men." As soon as their sweet song of praise was ended, the angels went back into heaven.

Then the poor shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even to Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass." (Luke ii. 15.) Though it was late at night, they set off with haste. Soon they found the stable, and, going in, they saw the Saviour, and worshipped Him. But the shepherds were not the only visitors to the stable of Bethlehem.

In a country a long way to the east of Judea, lived some very wise and learned men. One day, these men noticed in the heavens a star much larger and brighter than any they had seen before. They thought this beautiful star must be

meant to show that some wonderful person was born. They knew that the Jews were expecting JESUS to come to be their king, so they set off at once; and when they got to Jerusalem, they began to ask, "Where is He that is born King of the Jews?" (Matthew ii. 2.) Now a wicked king, named Herod, had been set up to rule over the poor Jews. When he heard the wise men ask about a king of the Jews, he was much troubled. Why, do you think? He was afraid if JESUS was born to be King of the Jews, he should be put down from being king. First, he called together the scribes and chief priests, who were most likely to know what was written by the prophets about JESUS, and asked them, "Where it was said he should be born?" They told him "in Bethlehem." And then, oh! such a wicked thought came into his heart. He thought he would kill JESUS! But he did not know where JESUS was;-how could he find out? He thought of a plan. Calling the wise men to him, he told them to go and find JESUS, and then

come back and tell him. He pretended that he wished to worship Him. So the wise men set off; and, lo, the bright star which they had seen in their own country moved on before them, till at last it stood still over the very place in which the Saviour was. Oh, how delighted they were! Now they did not mind having taken such a long journey. "They rejoiced with exceeding great joy." They worshipped JESUS, and brought out gold and sweet spices which they offered to Him. But the time came when they must go home. What were they to do? Were they to go and tell the wicked Herod where they had found the Saviour? No. GOD spoke to them in a dream, so they went back to their own country another way, and did not go near Jerusalem. Herod waited until he was sure they never meant to come to him. Then, in a great rage, he sent out men to kill every little child in Bethlehem, or near Bethlehem, who was less than two years old. And now he felt quite sure that he had killed JESUS; but had he? Oh, no; God had spoken