Page:SermonsFromTheLatins.djvu/75

 that  Christ's  first  and  second  birth  may  not  be  for us wholly  in  vain,  and  that  He  may  be,  once  again, born spiritually  in  our  souls  unto  life  everlasting. Amen.

''"When the  fulness  of  time  was  come,  God  sent  His  Son, made  of  a  woman,  made  under  the  law,  that  He  might  redeem those  who  were  under  the  law." — Gal. iv. 4, 5.

Ex. : Christmas,  the  children's  festival.

I. Thoughts  at  crib:  1. The Fall  and  Promise. 2. Plan of Redemption. 3. Effect  on  woman's  life.

II. Mary: 1. Her family. 2. Elizabeth. 3. The  Annunciation.

III. Nativity: 1. Visitation and  return. 2. Bethlehem. 3. The  Shepherds.

Per. : 1.  Angels'  hymn. 2. Christmas  long  ago. 3. Prayer for happy  death.

The central  figure  of  these  festive  Christmas  days is a  little  child. It is  preeminently  the  children's  festival; and  only  children,  and  those  who,  despite  their years, are  in  mind  and  heart  but  children  still,  can enter fully  into  the  hallowed,  gracious  spirit  of  this time. I lately  heard  a  little  prattler  tell  the  story  of Nazareth  and  of  Bethlehem,  and  sure  am  I,  that  could I reproduce  her  artless  manner  and  the  simple  tale she told,  I  would  touch,  for  once  at  least,  your  very