14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

EVENING LESSON-MIC. 5:1-8

PRAYER FOR DECEMBER 27

We adore Thee, O Thou blessed Son of God, who art from everlasting to everlasting; the same yesterday, to-day and forever! Thou didst humble Thyself to come into this world, not only to die for us, but to show us how to live. May we be moved by Thy great sacrifice to live for Thee. Thou dost not require us to die for Thee. Thou art more honored by our life. May the same Spirit that was in Jesus Christ be in us; that we may be willing to be, or do what Thou wouldst have us do. Anoint us with the spirit of service and sacrifice this day. Keep us and all of ours in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, for His dear Name's sake. Amen.

DECEMBER 28

MORNING LESSON-LUKE 2:15-20

15. And 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.

16. And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

21. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

EVENING LESSON-ISA. 32:1-8

PRAYER FOR DECEMBER 28

Blessed Saviour, we join the shepherds in humble adoration this day. They rejoiced when they beheld the Babe of Bethlehem. We, too, rejoice that we may see Him by faith, and may worship Him, who is Lord of heaven and of earth. Wilt Thou, dear Lord, come and rule over our hearts and home? Subdue in us every evil passion, and unholy desire, and make us worthy followers of the meek and lowly Jesus. Then, following Him ourselves, may we make known abroad His love and kindness, that other hearts may likewise be influenced by Him. Help us to send this knowledge to the heathen world that those who sit in darkness may behold the Light, and walk in it, and rejoice in it with us. Send forth missionaries from our homes, and ministers to tell the story of His love and sacrifice, to His honor and glory. Amen.

DECEMBER 29

MORNING LESSON-ISA. II: I-9

1. And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

2. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

3. And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:

4. But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

5. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

6. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

7. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the

OX.

8. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.

9. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

EVENING LESSON-ISA. 46:3-13

PRAYER FOR DECEMBER 29

Our Father in heaven, to Thee we come this morning to worship and bow down. We recognize Thee as King of kings and Lord of lords. Thou hast redeemed us and saved us and caused us to hope in Thee. In this world we shall have trials and tribulations, but these, we know, are for our discipline. May we be made better by them and not go into greater sin. Be Thou our stay and our strength and may we grow stronger by resistance. May all our trials only drive us closer to Thee. We thank Thee for the precious memories of these days. Jesus, our blessed Saviour, come Thou to our hearts and home, and abide with us.

We pray for all the unsaved, that they may be brought to repentance. We pray for our friends, that they all may be Thy friends. May the sweet influence of the Gospel draw them unto Thee. Keep us through this day, and through all our days, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

DECEMBER 30

MORNING LESSON-LUKE 2:25-40

Nunc Dimittis

25. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

28. Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29. Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31. Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32. A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

34. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

35. (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also ;) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

39. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

40. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him.

EVENING LESSON-Isa. 49:1-13

PRAYER FOR DECEMBER 30

O Lord, we do thank Thee that we live in the age of the Gospel: that we know Jesus, whence He came and who He is. We thank Thee for the wonderful plan of salvation wrought out at so great a cost, all for us. May we be worthy of our great salvation.

Look Thou upon us with favor to-day. May Thy Spirit influence our hearts and lives. Make us true to Thee, and faithful in our calling. May honesty, uprightness and sincerity be our controlling motives, for Thou art a just and holy God, and only those with pure lives and clean hands can bring an acceptable worship to Thee. Hear us as we come in Jesus' name. Amen.

DECEMBER 31

MORNING LESSON-MAT. 2:1-18

1. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2. Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

3. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

5. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

6. And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

7. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

8. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

EVENING LESSON-ISA. 55:1-13

PRAYER FOR DECEMBER 31

O Lord our God, the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. We change but Thou changest never. We go away into sin and grieve Thee, but Thou hast patience with us and dost forgive when we repent and turn unto Thee. May we not trifle with Thy goodness. Lord, help us to live better, truer, holier lives.

As we look back over this closing year we see many sins and follies, and many mistakes. Forgive, we pray Thee, all the sins we have committed, and help us in the coming year to live better lives, and to walk with Thee more closely. Oh, help us to overcome all our temptations and sins, and keep us from making mistakes. Give us a clean record with which to begin the New Year. May we live it better than the past, for the honor of our blessed Lord. Amen.

NEW YEAR'S DAY

MORNING LESSON-ISA. 40: 18-31

18. To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

19. The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.

20. He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved.

21. Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?

22. It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: