1936-12-09 — Page 20

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* THE

CHINA MAIL CHRISTMAS SUPPLEMENT

BIRTH OF CHRIST

AS TOLD BY ST. LUKE

*

AND it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree

from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

A

ND Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accom- plished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born Son, and wrapped Him în swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn.

A

ND there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the feld, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Α

ND the angel said unto them, 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 this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger, And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward mea.

A

ND 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 unto us. And they came with baste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

Sing These Hymns

Round Your Fireside

OH, come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant.

Come ye, oh, come ye to Bethle-

hem:

Come and behold Him, Born, the King of angels: Oh, come, let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord!

Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation.

Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven

above!

Sing ye, All glory

- To God in the highest! Oh, come, let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord!

Yea, Lord, we hail Thee, Born this happy morning; Jesus, to Thee be glory given!

Word of the Father,

Now in flesh appearing: Oh, come, let us adore Him,"

Christ the Lord!

WHILE shepherds watched their

flocks by night,

All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord

came

down,

And glory shone around.

"Fear not,' said he, for mighty

dread

Had seized their troubled

mind,

"Glad tidings of great joy I bring

To you and all mankind.

To you, in David's town, this

day

Is born, of David's line,

A Saviour, who is Christ the

Lord;

And this shall be the sign tị

"The Heavenly Babe you there

shall find

To human view displayed.

All meanly wrapped in swath-

ing-bands,

And in a manger laid."

Thus spake the seraph; and

forthwith

Appeared a shining throng Of angels, praising God on high. Who thus addressed their

song:

"All glory be to God on high. And to the earth be peace! Goodwill henceforth from Hea-

ven to men Begin and never cease."

HARK! the herald angels

sing:

Glory to the new-born king: Peace on earth, and mercy

mild,

God and sinners reconciled!" Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the

Skies;

With the angelic host pro-

claim,

Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Chorus

Hark! the herald angels

sing:

Glory to the new-born

King

Hail the Heaven-bom Prince

of Peace!

Hail the Sun of Righteous-

ness!

Light and life to all He.

brings,

Risen with healing in His

wings;

Mild He lays His glory by Born that man no more may

die;

Born to raise the sons of

earth,

Born to give them second

birth.

AS with gladness men of old Did the guiding star behold. As with joy they hailed its

light,

Leading onward. beaming

bright,

So. most gracious God, may

We

Ever more be led by Thee

As with joyful steps they

sped

To that lowly manger bed, There to bend the knee be-

fore

Him whom Heaven and earth

adore,

So may we with willing feet Ever seek the Mercy Seat.

As they offered gifts' most

rare

As that manger rude and

bare,

So may we with holy joy. Pure and free from sin's

alloy,

All our costliest treasures

'bring.

Christ, to Thee, our Heaven-

ly King.

Blessed Jesus, every day Keep us in the narrow way; And, when earthly things

are past, Bring our" ransomed souls

at last Where they need no star to

guide.

Where no clouds Thy glory

hide.

In the Heavenly Country

bright

Need they no created light; Thou, its. Light, its Joy, its

Crown,

Thou, its Sun which goes not

down;

There for ever may we sing Hallelujahs to our King.

ONCE, in royal David's city,

Stood a lowly cattle shed, Where a mother laid her Baby In a manger for His bed. Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little Child.

earth from

He came down to

Heaven Who is God and Lord of all, And His shelter was a stable

And His cradle was a stall; With the poor, and mean, and

lowly,

Lived on earth our Saviour holy.

And through all His wondrous

childhood,

He would honour and obey. Love and watch. the lowly

mother

In whose gentle arms He

lay.

Christian children all must be. Mild, obedient, good as He

For He is our childhood's pat-

tern;

Day by day like us He grew: He was little, weak, and help-

Jess,

Tears and smiles like us He

knew;

And He feeleth for our sadness, And He shareth in our gladness.

And our eyes at last shall see

Him,

Through His own redeeming

.love;

For that Child so dear and gentle It's our Lord in Heaven

above.

And He leads His children on To the place where He has gone.