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HRISTMAS belongs pre-eminently to the young. Each year as the day approaches it becomes plain that the uppermost thought, not only in the home, but also in the school and in the store and shop, is to please the children and young people, and to make them happy. It is right that it should be so, for it was Christ's coming into the world as the Babe of Bethlehem that sanctified childhood and youth in the eyes of all who accept His teachings.

The sad thing is that this fact should be so little remembered or appreciated by so many children and young people. Let every "Merry Christmas" greeting carry our minds back to the angel's announcement to the shepherds, and every gift made or received cause us to remember the "unspeakable gift" of God when He gave His Son to be our Saviour. Only so can we get the real good of Christmas, and make it a true holy day as well as a glad holiday.

Christmas has come to us at great cost to Him whose birth we celebrate, and he who would consider its full significance cannot afford to overlook the price of this gift to men. That there might be a Christmas at all it cost Jesus the glory and fellowship of Heaven and imposed upon Him the limitations and humiliation of earth. He was like a prince, away from the homeland with its honors, luxuries and intimacies, traveling incognito among aliens whose strange speech and customs only served to emphasize His conscious isolation. There was much in His earthly life aside from the sins of men which made it a discipline for Him. Christ's human existence in itself was humbling. To be

come a man, to be a servant, to suffer insult and rejection, were only preliminary to His humiliation on the cross. In it all was the clear vision of that cross. Its shadow fell full upon Him at Bethlehem, for the song I of the angels was meaningless without its reference to Calvary. May our contemplation of this fact chasten our holiday festivities into a spiritual joy, which strengthens to a true devotion of our all to Him.

We

To young Lutherans the Christmas time is properly a joyous time. No one has a better right than Lutherans to enjoy the happy day that commemorates the birth of Christ. celebrated that day for a good many years, while some of our non-Lutheran friends were afraid of it. We helped greatly to keep it in the Church calendar. We have a right to rejoice. Then, too, our dear Church is so strong in its Christ-ward theology that it would indeed be strange if we failed to make much of the Savior's natal day. There is no other denomination that places such emphasis upon the atonement as does the Lutheran, and the incarnation is preparatory. Let your joy, therefore, be full, because on this day Christ was born.

The birth of Christ is the greatest event in the world's history, yet few persons were then aware of what was taking place. We celebrate His birth at a time of the year when we see the least of the sun's light, yet He is the light of the world. With us all of nature seems to be dead, but He brings us resurrection and life. The world was spiritually dead in sin, but He brought forgiveness of sins and newness of life.

HERE is an old refrain, rhyme, or

Tproverb which is frequently quoted at

this time of the year, to the effect that "Christmas comes but once a year"-a truism which certainly permits of no contradiction and seems to offer no foothold for discussion. To many, unfortunately, who look upon Christmas as being merely a season of noisy revelry and upheaval to which our homes and vocations are subjected, on the ground that since it does come but once a year we can manage to put up with it for the sake of custom and the

younger members of our respective families, this day coming "once a year" may mean but a new burden added to the many burdens of a hopeless life. For the men and women of the world, Christmas is, indeed, but a season of haste and waste, the suspension of ordinary duties, physical weariness, a depleted purse, and a more than customary plunging into the sensual, selfish, carnal, wicked pleasures and dissipations to which they have given their hearts and lives.

What a different meaning this old phrase

imparts to the mind of a Christian! What joys, what happiness it promises! Childen's carols, jubilant songs of gratitude, the organ's tempestuous strains of praise, brilliantly illuminated churches, myriads of lighted candles, and the glories of the Christmas tree-all proclaiming to a saved world the angel's message: "Fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." To the Christian this day coming once a year"

means an expression of the boundless fullness of God's grace brought to fallen man in the great chorus sung down from heaven's immeasurable heights: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Even the godless element cannot escape the thrill of joy that sweeps over the world-" once a year." The great and glorious news of the angel and the exquisitely beautiful and wonderful song of the heavenly hosts, first announced and sung over the plains of Bethle hem.

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AITH is a powerful telescope through which we can behold the beauties of a world beyond the vast firmament of heaven; it is an expectant longing for something great that shall transpire-perhaps presently, perhaps far in the future. Faith is also that power of the soul which enables us to believe and perform our duties in the hope of final joy and triumph.

Christianity believes in and embraces a divine power which cannot be seen, while heathendom reverences that which is visible to the eye at all times. This latter view, however, we can scarcely call faith, for when knowledge of that which is sought is obtained faith ceases.

St. Paul, in writing to the Romans, exhorts them to strengthen their faith, for through faith only can salavtion come. Christ is the life-giving fountain, where we can quench our thirsty souls-yea, He is more, He is life, and He it was who brought life and immortality to light into the world.

Everywhere we look we see the work of God's mighty hand; "the heaven's declare His glory and the firmament showeth His handiwork." We do not deserve God's great goodness to us, but yet His mercy never waneth, for as far as the East is from the West so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.

Many people, even some professed Christians, think that their good works will win for them the fadeless crown. There is much so-called charity in the world to-day, but not prompted by love. True charity is love in its broadest sense, and it is only through works which dominate from love, which is faith in God, that salvation can be ours.

How, then, shall we get that faith so nec

essary for our soul's salvation? We must go to the Bible-read its sacred pages, and there find a balm for our sin-sick soul. How blessed that we have access to that precious Book which contains a life-saving remedy! To those who do not have access to God's Holy Word it is our duty to impart to them the divine truths. Our Church believes in the instruction of God's Word to the youth as well as to the adult of the Church, and how thankful we should feel that Luther has given us the Catechism, that sacred little volume from which we early learned the way of life.

us.

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"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," is all that is required of Have faith in all His promises. Often we feel sad and lonely, thinking of loved ones gone, but Jesus whispers: Come unto Me all ye who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." We look up, and from henceforth we go to our various duties in life feeling refreshed with the wonderful promise that some day we, too, shall share in the eternal rest of those who have won this salvation.

Young Men and Their Use In looking over quite a long ministry three things are impressed upon my mind: First, that the most fruitful and reliable work of the Church is with the boys and the young men; second, that you look out for the young men and the Church will take care of itself; third, that among a pastor's sweetest memories is the fruitage of his labors with young No pen can express the worth of young men to the Church. Let pastors remember this. Rev. Smith Baker, D.D.

men.

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HE placing of 48 lighted little Christmas candles of various bright colors, on a large white background, in the sight of the whole audience, and the interspersing of half a dozen beautiful familiar carols in which young and old can join, are the features that will lend to this unique Luther League celebration of the Christmas festival, the charm of perpetual motion and picturesque effect. At the same time it is a service of such perfect propriety and dignity as will make a permanent impression on every heart of the facts of our Lord's earthly life, such as could not be gained without a strikThe entire ing object lesson of this kind.

Sunday school, in all grades, will be fascinated by its luminous manner of telling the old, old story of Jesus and His love, and the 48 participants might be selected from the Luther League, or even from the Junior League, if their voices be strong enough to be heard. The whole exercise, from beginning to end, need not occupy much more than an hour, and thus plenty of time will be left for the distribution of Christmas sweets at the close, if the festival be held on Christmas Day. Possibly the best time, this year, would be as a separate Luther League occasion, on Sunday evening, December 27 at 6.30 or 7 o'clock, thus supplementing the regular Christmas celebration of the school.

The plan is so readily carried out, and the simple home-made apparatus is so free from cost, and so easily within every League's or Sunday School's ability to construct, that it is equally feasible in city and country alike. Then, too, it will interest and instruct 60-year-old folks as much as six, and all ages between. Last but not least, it will make such abominations as Santa Claus performances seem sheer sacrilege in a sanctuary, consecrated to be kept scrupulously invisible from all unhallowed uses. An enlarged fac-simile of this rudimentary map

ting all the numbers (which are put there merely for your convenience). Print the name of each town and body of water in plain letters, heavy enough to be easily read. Insert as many long, slender screw-eyes as there are numbers at each spot. These are for receptacles to hold the lighted colored tapers about 1 inch away from the board, and the heads should be of exactly the right size to fit the candles. At Capernaum arrange the candles in the form of a capital C. At Jerusalem place the nine lights in the form of a slanting cross, so that the lights will not interfere with each other.

PROGRAMME OF THE FESTIVAL. Opening hymn: "Silent Night." Reading of the Christmas Gospel: Luke II: 8-20.

The Festival Prayer.

Carol:"Come Hither Ye Faithful!"

First candle lighted, and placed in one of the two receptacles at Bethlehem by a pupil who recites by heart, in clear, distinct voice, Luke II: 1-7.

Next candle placed at Jerusalem, the passage to be recited being Luke II: 25-32. 3. Bethlehem again, Matt. II:7-12. 4. Egypt. Matt. II: 13-15.

5. Nazareth. Matt. II: 19-23.

6. Jerusalem. Luke II: 41-46.

18. Capernaum. Mark I: 21-26. 19. Nain. Luke VII: 11-15.

Singing of another well-known carol. 20. Back to Capernaum. Luke VII: 36-38. 21. Sea of Galilee. Matt VIII: 23-27. 22. The Opposite Shore. Matt. VIII: 2832.

23. Capernaum. Mark V: 21-23. 24. Nazareth. Mark VI: 1-5.

25. Upper Coast of the Sea. Mark VI: 3046.

26. Walks on the Sea. Mark VI: 47-51. 27. Capernaum. John VI: 22-27.

28. Border of Tyre and Sidon. Matt. XV: 21-28.

29. Upper Coast of the Sea. Matt. XV: 29-32.

30. Mount Hermon. Matt. XVII : 1-3.
31. Capernaum. Matt. XVII: 24-27.
32. Jerusalem. John VII: 1-5.
33. Capernaum. Luke X: 1, 2.
Singing of next to the last hymn.
34. Perea. Matt. XIX: 1, 2.
35. Bethany. Luke X: 38-42.
36. Jerusalem. John X: 22-25.
37. Perea again. John X: 39-42.
38. Bethany. John XI: 1-4.

39. Border of Galilee. Luke XVII: 11-15. 40. Jericho. Mark X 46-52.

41. Bethany. Mark XI: 1-11.

42. Jerusalem.

In this city Jesus rides in triumph on Palm Sunday; the shouts soon turn into hisses; eats the Passover for the last time; washes the disciples' feet; institutes the Lord's Supper; the agony in Gethsemane; the arrest by Judas' band; Peter's denial in the high priest's hall; Jesus before Pilate and Herod; scourged and crowned with thorns; crucified, dead and buried; the guard at the tomb; the empty sepulchre on the third day; appearances, first to Mary Magdalene, second to the other women, third to Simon Peter.

43. Emmaus. Luke XXIV: 13-16.

44. Jerusalem. John XX: 19, 20; 24-28. 45. Sea of Galilee. John XXI: 1-6.

46. A Mountain in Galilee. Matt. XXVIII: 16-20.

47. Jerusalem. Acts I: 3-5.

48. Mount of Olives. Acts I: 9-12. Closing hymn, "Joy to the World." Before the closing prayer and the benediction, let the lights of the sanctuary be turned low, so that the 48 Christmas tapers may shine out with more beautiful radiance, and the people may spend the few last minutes in silent contemplation of the scenes of the brief earth-life of Him whose name is called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

LET EACH CLASS MAKE A CHRISTMAS GIFT to the poor, as a source of sweetest joy in this blessed season of good-will to men. Write to your Orphan's Home, asking what sizes of shoes, clothing, underwear, or what articles of groceries and foodstuffs are most urgently needed. Do not forget the poor of your own congregation in the distribution of such garments and provisions. Make a test, and see how true is the assurance of God's Word that "it is more blessed to give than to receive."

HE eighth annual convention of the Luther League of New Jersey was held in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, Elizabeth, N. J., the Rev. Fred. C. Krapf, pastor, Tuesday, November 3, 1903. Early during the day delegates assembled, and the first session was held at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.

The business session was one of the best attended in the history of the State League. The opening services were conducted by the Rev. E. E. Neudewitz of Jersey City, chair

seemed to be productive of much good, and did much to keep up the interest of the various local Leagues.

The treasurer, Mrs. Prudence Kerr-Kreuger, of Camden, N. J., reported a balance in the treasury.

The Executive Committee reported having held three meetings during the year, and had given encouraging accounts thereof.

The Extension Committee, Mr. T. Clem Beck, chairman, Elizabeth, reported that as the fruits of their labors three applications

are to be considered for admission to the State League.

The Credential Committee, Mr. Jacob Martin, chairman, Elizabeth, reported 34 duly accredited delegates as having presented their credentials, which exceeds by twice the representation at any previous convention. This was very gratifying, as was demonstrated by the enthusiasm displayed at the convention. The following societies were admitted to membership of the State League:

Young Men's Luther League of Holy Trinity English Lutheran Church, Hoboken, N. J., Rev. Chas. T. McDaniel, pastor.

Augustana Young People's Society of Zion Swedish Lutheran Church of Paterson, N. J., Rev. A. Aaron, pastor.

Luther League of Grace Evangelical Lu