perhaps Gabriel, who had already twice appeared to announce the coming of the Son of God.

The shepherds were, as Zacharias had been before, surprised and frightened when they saw the angel; but he told them not to fear, for he brought them good tidings of great joy; "for," he said, "unto you is born this day a Saviour, "and if you wish to worship him, you "will know him by this sign,-he is "wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger in the town of "Bethlehem."

No sooner had the angel spoken these words than a great number of heavenly beings appeared, and they all joined their voices in praise to God for his great love and mercy to his creatures, in sending His own Son on earth to save them : the words of the hymn

they sang were these:-"Glory to God "in Heaven, and on earth peace and

good will to man ;" and well may we, my dear children, join our voices, young and old, rich and poor, to that heavenly song; we should all unite together in thanking our God, who has given us such a gracious proof of his good will as to send us the Prince of Peace to teach us the way to Heaven.

When the company of holy angels had finished their song of praise, they returned to the kingdom of Heaven, which they had for a short time left to bring the joyful news of a Saviour's birth to the people on earth; and as soon as they were gone, the shepherds, remembering the words of the angel, said one to another, "Let us now go "to Bethlehem, and see this thing which the Lord has made known to

"us:"-so, without loss of time, they set off, and soon arrived at Bethlehem, where they found the Holy Child with his mother and Joseph, in the stable, according to the description of the angel; and being desirous that all people should share in their joy, they told every one in the neighbourhood about the visit of the angels, and the wonderful things they had revealed to them concerning the child.

When they had worshipped and given praise at Bethlehem they returned again to the care of their flocks: but they did not forget the glories they had seen, nor the honour they had received, in being the first to whom the Saviour's birth was announced; but as they returned, they still praised and glorified God; and, I dare say, afterwards, many a long and weary night of watching

was cheered by the remembrance of the visit of the angels, and the glad hope of better things to come, by the mercy of that Saviour whom they had been the first to adore.

It is true, my dear children, that you cannot now go like the shepherds to see your Saviour, but you may worship him in your heart; and though you do not see Him, he sees you; and He, who was once Himself a little child, has never rejected the adoration of children. Even you, then, young as you are, may join with angels in their songs of praise; and I hope that before you lie down to-night you will use your little voice in thankfulness to Him who came on earth for your sake.

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Young men and maidens, old men "and children, praise the name of the "Lord.”—Psalm cxlviii. 12, 13.

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IV.

THE WISE-MEN.

THE first promise of consolation to mankind in the birth of a Saviour was given to those who most need instruction and consolation the poor and ignorant; but the glad tidings were soon, in a like wonderful way, announced to the wise and rich.

It was not long after the return of the shepherds to their homes, that certain strangers, travellers from the east country, arrived in Jerusalem, the capital of Judea, where King Herod lived.

These strangers, who are commonly called Magi, or Wise-men, are supposed