Murilio, may be shown to the children and the music of "Silent Night" may be played on the piano very softly while the chil dren look. Handwork: The children may begin a little book of the pictures connected with the story of the birth of the Christ-child, by cutting out and mounting the one of "The Annunciation." As they do so the teacher may lead them to talk about their babies, and she may recall the story just told of the coming of the little Lord Jesus. At this time the child would not understand any references to the mission of Jesus or the explanation of his divinity. The simple account of his birth told with the utmost reverence will make a deep impression on the children and will set him apart from all other babies. LESSON XXII GOD'S GREATEST GIFT (CONTINUED) As the picture of "The Annunciation" is presented to the children they will remember the story and tell very simply in their own words about the angel and Mary. The teacher may retell that part of the story and may then continue: Story: The Birth of the Christ-child. One day Joseph, Mary's husband, took her on a journey to another village, the town of Bethlehem. It was a long way from Nazareth where they lived to Bethlehem. Mary rode on a donkey, and Joseph walked by her side. They were both very tired when they came at evening to Bethlehem. There were many other people journeying to Bethlehem, so that every place in the inn or hotel was taken. When the innkeeper told Joseph that he had no room for them in the inn, Joseph said, "Where shall I take Mary to-night?" The innkeeper told him that they could spend the night in the stable where the sheep, the oxen, and the donkeys were. Joseph made a bed for Mary on the hay, and there they rested. That very night God sent to Mary the little Lord Jesus, and all the stable was filled with the glory of his coming. Mary wrapped him round and round in a long piece of cloth called swaddling clothes, and because she had no crib for him she laid him in the manger, the wooden box, from which the sheep, the oxen and the donkeys ate their hay. Do you not think they were surprised when they saw the little Lord Jesus there! Picture: "The Arrival of the Shepherds," by Le Rolle, may be shown following the story, no special attention being given to the shepherds. Any other good picture of the Nativity may be substituted. This one by Le Rolle presents a strong appeal because of the mystery suggested in the setting. The dim rafters of the stable, the animals, the father and mother and the tiny spot of radiance representing the baby, give it an unequaled interest to the children. Song: There is no more beautiful song than Luther's "Cradle Hymn," which will be immediately understood and appreciated if sung to the children at this time: "Away in a manger, No crib for a bed, Lay down his sweet head. The stars in the heavens Looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus Asleep on the hay." This may be sung several times to the children and the words repeated apart from the music. Handwork: The book of pictures may be continued by letting the children cut out a copy of "The Arrival of the Shepherds," by Le Rolle, and paste it in the book. The two pictures may be examined further and the teacher may sing the "Cradle Hymn" over several times with the children. LESSON XXIII GOD'S GREATEST GIFT (CONTINUED) As was suggested in the last period, after the children have engaged in some activity, the pictures may be used to recall the story. As the teacher retells the story the children may be encouraged to tell it with her. Then the teacher may continue: Story: The Shepherds. On the same night when the little Lord Jesus was born there were in the fields shepherds abiding, keeping watch over their flocks. These shepherds were men with clothing made of the skins of wild animals, and their faces were bronzed by the wind and the sun. They were very careful of the sheep and very tender of the little lambs. One shepherd watched while the others slept, lest a lion or a bear might creep upon the flock and carry off a lamb. Suddenly as he watched he saw a bright light in the sky and he called the other shepherds to wake and see. The light grew bright as day and the glory of the Lord shone round about the shepherds. They were sore afraid and fell upon their faces. Then an angel began to sing to them. It was the same angel who had told Mary of the coming of the little Lord Jesus. "Fear not," he said, "for, behold, I bring unto 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 this shall be for a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Suddenly there was with the angel a great multitude of angels praising God and saying, "Glory be to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." As the shepherds listened the angels floated away and very softly they could be heard singing, "Glory be to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." When all was still the shepherds began to speak. "The angel said that Christ the Lord is born!" said one. "Yes," said another, "and he told us that we should find him wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger." "Let us go to see him!" they cried. And down the hill to the little town of Bethlehem they went. In the stable they found the little Lord Jesus with Mary and Joseph. They thanked God for sending the Babe as they fell on their knees about him. They went back to their sheep, telling all whom they met that they had seen the Christ-child. Picture: While the music of "Silent Night" is played, the children may study the picture, "Apparition to the Shepherds," by Plockhorst. They may see again "The Arrival of the Shepherds," by Le Rolle, this time looking for the shepherds in the picture. Song: The "Cradle Hymn," by Luther, may be sung softly and the second verse added: "The cattle are lowing, The baby awakes, I love thee, Lord Jesus, Look down from the sky, Till morning is nigh." |