[Illustration:  Fig. 22]

“Such is too often the result of the love of money, which, as Paul tells us, ‘is the root of all evil.’  But, happily, there is another side to the matter.  Many of the wealthy of the earth have blessed and are blessing mankind and in return are themselves blessed.  In harmony with the thought, Dr. Van Dyke says:  I do not mean to say that the possession of much money is always a real barrier to real wealth of mind and heart.  Nor would I maintain that all the poor of this world are rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom.  And if some of the rich of this world (through the grace of Him with whom all things are possible) are also modest in their minds and ready to be pleased with unbought pleasures, they simply share in the best things which are provided for all.’

“None of us may ever be rich in earthly possessions, but even the strife after the money necessary for our actual needs may shut out our vision of the things of greater value.  Let us always hold fast to that which is good, remembering always that a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.

“Let us put out of our lives all envy, all jealousy, all desire for the artificial, and learn the lessons of humility, patience, confidence and good cheer which are all about us if we but turn our faces and our hearts toward them.”

THE CHRIST-CHILD
    —­Christmas
    —­Giving

A Lesson From the Story of the Shepherds and the Wise Men.

THE LESSON—­That the Light that was shed when the Christ-Child came to earth now brightens the farthest corners of the world.

Nothing is more beautiful and impressive than the story of the Christ-Child.  It cannot be repeated too often, and it is essential at Christmas time.

The Talk.

“Let us hear once more the wonderful story of the shepherds who played such a large part in the first Christmas. [Read Luke 2:8-18.  When you reach the words, ‘Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,’ draw the lines representing the city, using brown crayon.  On completing the reading of verse 18, continue the narrative by reading Matthew 2:1-2 and 2:9-11.  When you reach the words, ’the star which they saw in the east went before them and stood over where the young child was,’ draw the star, with its rays, in orange, completing Fig. 23.  This ends the reading.]

[Illustration:  Fig. 23]

“I wish we could picture to ourselves the scene in Bethlehem when Jesus was born.  We are told that there was such an immense crowd there that Joseph and Mary could find no shelter in the inn, but we should know that this does not mean a hotel, for they had nothing of this kind in Bethlehem.  Indeed, it would not have been required, because all that the thousands of visitors needed was the permission to sleep on the floor on their own mats which they brought with them.  This is the custom even today.  It was a sacred duty of every Jew to give shelter