This book is the direct result of Luther League Devotional Study and has been prepared by a committee of Liturgical Scholars appointed by a District Luther League. It should be widely read and studied by all young and old Lutherans. No question concerning our Services remains unanswered. In the preparation of this Explanation the Standard sources have been consulted. Whatever seemed well adapted to explain the meaning and the connection of the several parts of the Service of the Church was freely used. The book is 64 by 81⁄2 inches, printed in red and black, the portions from the Church book being in red, while the Explanation portion is in black, on fine Oxford laid paper with wide margins. It is to be had in two styles of bindings. OXFORD BIBLES OVER 1,000,000 COPIES SOLD EVERY YEAR OXFORD BIBLES embody every feature of excellence known in Ask your dealer to show you 0623x at $2.50 OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS AMERICAN BRANCH Send for complete catalogue NEW YORK Pennsylvania College Muhlenberg College is located on the great Battlefield of Gettysburg, the PRESIDENT W. A. GRANVILLE, PH.D., LL.D., Susquehanna University Beautifully located on the West bank of the Susquehanna River, at Selinsgrove, Pa. Strong faculty. Excellent buildings, with all modern conveniences. The Academy-four years' preparatory course. The Conservatory of Musle-leading to Mus. B. The School of Business-diploma at graduation. CHARLES T. AIKENS, D.D.. President OR W. T. HORTON, Registrar, Selingsgrove, Penna. One of the oldest and most famous Colleges of the Lutheran Church. 66th year begins September 19, 1911. OLD WITTENBERG Is a college with a successful past and a most promis Is a college where the personal contact idea is strong. Is a college where self help is possible. Is a college where athletics and work are mingled in proper proportions. Is a CHRISTIAN COLLEGE. For Literature, write to CHARLES G. HECKERT, D.D., President, Springfield. 0. HARTWICK SEMINARY NEW YORK The Oldest Lutheran School in America SEND FOR CATALOGUE TO REV. J. G. TRAVER, A.M., Principal IT Of the Church-By the Church-For the Church Review The Angelic Song MISS ANNA M. LANDIS. T was night and the little town of Bethlehem was reposing in slumber, but out on the hills nearby shepherds were watching their flocks. Weary from their routine of duty, they were seated or reclining on the ground; some perhaps in con versation while others were simply resting in a quiet manner. Imagination pictures a faithful group of men per forming a simple homely duty. The beautiful hills of Palestine afford a pleasing background. Suddenly the picture is made radiant with supernatural brightness, as "glory shone around" and completing the marvelous scene was the angel of the Lord standing in their midst. Trouble seized the minds of the Bethlehem shepherds, but quickly the angel comforted them by saying "Fear not, for behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy, and not to you only, but to all mankind." But why this great joy? Listen! The angelic messenger has a duty for the shepherds; they were to seek the "GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST." treasure of which the angel would shortly tell them. "This day," said he, "in David's town, is born of David's line, the Saviour, who is Christ the Lord." What an announce ment, but they must needs have a sign in order to find Him. The angel added: "You will find the heavenly Babe, meanly (poorly) wrapt in swathing bands, lying in a cattle manger." As the shepherds were pondering over the recent message, there appeared a "'shining throng of angels" praising God and singing the welcome song which has reverberated down the ages, and which shall never cease: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and good will to men." Filled with a desire to witness the wonderful sight of which their heavenly visitor had spoken, they leave their work and go to Bethlehem. There they hail the wondrous Stranger, which was none other than Christ, the Lord, as a babe lying in a manger, and near the humble bed were Joseph and Mary, keeping vigil over His sleeping form. There were no happier people in the world that Christmas night than the shepherds, but more were to share this happiness, for did not the angel say, "Unto all people." Not only did God's human family, but even His world of nature, take part in this wonderful event. The stars, we are told, sang in their courses, and one special star guided the wise men (representatives of Gentile nations) until it pointed directly to "His rude abode." Thus we see how every nation in all parts of the earth was and is to receive the rapturous news. Each Christmas season we trace the amazing story, for, as individuals and as nations, should we not rejoice in the sublime theme, "Sinners saved from death and hell"? When we think of the eternal love which moved the Saviour of the world "to lay His radiance by" to come, live, suffer, die and rise again for our redemption. should we not at this glad season and also every day of our lives exclaim with the angels "Blessings on the lamb forever! Glory be to God on High!"? T Christmas Good Will. HIS is the gladdest season of the whole year. It is the time of Heaven's message of peace and This is part of that wonderful angel song sung on the first Christmas Eve. The Christ-child, who was born that night in Bethlehem, brought many a blessing with Him to earth, and, among all the others, is this beautiful blessing of peace. How great are the blessings of peace. Often there are discord and ill will, as alas! today in most of Europe. There is not always peace even in homes. But how beautiful is peace against the background of war. When there is peace where we dwell how happy and how sweet is the home life. It is to "men of good will" the angels announced peace. A great philosopher has said, "there is nothing good in the world except a good-will." Many actions which seem good are really not good at all. Have you not sometimes made a pretense of goodness when you did not care to be really good, but only to be thought so? Then your will was not good; and down in your heart you were not happy or at peace. When your will is good, and you do honestly try to do right, even though you may not succeed very well, there is peace in your heart which makes you happy. This Christmas season is the one when such thoughts crowd upon us. In the busy treading of life, upon the street or in the store, in the office or on the farm, the Christmas message comes each year ever fresh and new. To each one, man, woman or child, the Gospel message of peace and good will is blessed in the giving and in the receiving. Would not life be pleasant if peace was always in our hearts? On this coming Christmas Day let us ask God to give us this great gift-a good will. To do as God would have us do, to walk in the way He would have us walk, should be our will. This is good will. Our Savior said, "Lo, I come to do thy will, O God." Let us follow His blessed example, and our hearts will be full of good will and happiness to all men. The value of this is beyond price. No cost can be given for its possession. A heart at peace and a life in accord with God's good will is a Christmas joy and blessing beyond compare. For lo, the days are hastening on, By prophets seen of old, When with the ever-circling years Shall come the time foretold, When the new heaven and earth shall own The Prince of Peace their King, And the whole world send back the song Which now the angels sing. |