"What does pondered mean, mamma?" "It means that she thought often and much about what they meant."

"I think that is what we ought to do too, mamma."

Yes, certainly, and pray to God to

help us. Now, we have had a long lesson. Ellen, which verse will you choose to write into your book?"

Oh, that pretty one, mamma, about the glad tidings."

"Yes, that will be a delightful beginning. And now let me hear your hymn about the shepherds, and then we will pray together."

HYMN.

While humble shepherds watched their flocks

In Bethlehem's plains by night,

An angel sent from heaven appeared,
And filled the plains with light.

Fear not, he said, (for sudden 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,

The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord;
And this shall be the sign:

The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displyed,

All meanly wrapt in swaddling bands,
And in a manger laid.

Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels, praising God; and thus
Addressed their joyful song.

All glory be to God on high,

And to the earth be peace;
Good-will is shown by Heaven to men,
And never more shall cease.

PRAYER.

O, heavenly Father, we thank thee that we have heard the glad tidings of great joy, about Jesus having come as the Saviour into this world. We thank thee that we have the Bible to tell us this, and that we are learning to read it, and that thou hast promised to give the Holy Spirit to help us to understand. O, Lord Jesus, make us more and more happy every day, to think and hear about thy great love to us. Help us not to forget these things, but, like Mary, to pon

poor

der them in our hearts. There are many children who have never heard the glad tidings. O Lord, send more missionaries and teachers to them.

And

forgive all our sins, and make us love thee more every day, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

SIMEON AND ANNA IN THE TEMPLE.

NEXT day was the Sabbath, and the children did not get their lesson till the afternoon. They were allowed to go to church in the morning, and they sat very still and quiet, and did not disturb their papa or mamma, and listened as well as they could. When they came to their mamma's room, she said, “I thought it curious that the minister spoke to-day about the very picture I was going to take our lesson from. Look, Harry, who is this old man who has the infant Jesus in his arms, while Joseph and Mary are standing beside him?" "It is old Simeon, mamma."

"And can you tell me, Ellen, anything that Dr. G. said about him?” "He said that Simeon wished to die, after he had seen the Lord Jesus.'

"I am glad you recollect so well.