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Prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, we thank you for sending the little Lord Jesus.

Handwork:

The book of pictures may be continued by adding the new one, "The Apparition of the Shepherds."

LESSON XXIV

GOD'S GREATEST GIFT (CONCLUDED)

Picture study and conversation:

THE children may study the three pictures, telling a story about each one. They may sing the "Cradle Hymn" over and over. Then the teacher may question about the babies at home and speak of God's love in sending each one. The story of the Christ-child will make every little baby seem more precious. A new picture, the most childlike of the group, may be shown at this time-Raphael's "Madonna of the Chair." Here Mary, Jesus, and an older child are seen.

Story:

If there is time the teacher may retell the complete story or at least the part about the shepherds. At the close one verse of "Silent Night," may be sung:

"Silent night, holy night,

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon Virgin, mother and child;

Holy Infant so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace,

Sleep in heavenly peace."

Verse: This beautiful "Christmas Song" may be repeated from time to time until it is really the possession of each child: "Why do bells for Christmas ring? Why do little children sing?

"Once a lovely, shining star,
Seen by shepherds from afar,
Gently moved until its light
Made a manger-cradle bright.

Prayer:

"There a darling Baby lay
Pillowed soft upon the hay.

And his mother sang and smiled,
"This is Christ, the holy child.'

"So the bells for Christmas ring;
So the little children sing."

(Lydia Avery Coonley Ward.)

Dear heavenly Father, we thank thee for the little Lord Jesus and for every little baby.

Handwork:

The book may be finished by putting in the new picture, "The Madonna of the Chair." The children can now take the book home and tell the story to mother and father.

LESSON XXV

THE JOYS OF CHRISTMAS

As Christmas approaches the little child is filled with joy, for he anticipates the surprises in store for him. Many little children believe in Santa Claus, having been taught by their parents to ascribe to him the Christmas gifts. Santa Claus is but a symbolic figure representing the spirit of giving abroad in the land at the Christmas season; every country has some symbol to convey this meaning to its children. The danger of deception in the use of this symbol has been in its too literal interpretation and in the commercializing that has dragged Santa in rags and tatters about our streets and department stores. Treated as a mysterious figure never seen by mortal eye, the child will in time interpret the symbol for himself as he does the fairy, the giant, and the witch. The child should have the opportunity of telling to the teacher and the children what he hopes to receive, for the big "emotional thrill" at this age is in receiving.

Next to the pleasure in getting comes the joy of making surprises for mother and father. These little gifts may be very simple handwork in connection with the lessons. The child will be glad to remember the other children in orphanage and mission, and to share his toys with them. He likes to think that he is helping Santa Claus.

Rhythm:

The children will express the mood of joy best through a skip, as has been suggested before. The music of "The Happiest Skip" in the Crawford Rhythms is well selected to

express this joy. Lightly on the tips of their toes they may skip, clapping the hands sometimes and stopping to whirl about.

Conversation:

In connection with the planning for Christmas the Christmas tree may be mentioned and the teacher may suggest trimming one for the mothers and fathers. The children may talk about all the trimmings that they would like for it: a star at the top, tinsel, lights, chains.

Song:

The song of the Christmas Tree may be sung:

"O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How beauteous are your branches!
Your silver cobwebs glisten bright
In lovely glow of candle light.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How beauteous are your branches!

"O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How laden are your branches!
High at your top a radiant star
Bids all to come where wonders are.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How laden are your branches!"

(Songs for the Little Child.)

The teacher may use either of these verses that she prefers, or, if there is time, she may use both.

Handwork:

The children will enjoy making at least one of the tree decorations. Almost every child knows how to make paper chains. Strips of gold, silver, or red paper, or a combination of gold and red, may be given the children. With a little

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