P. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.

S. And this shall be a sign unto you: ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddlingclothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

P. Glory to God in the highest, and on

earth peace, good-will toward men! S. Now, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa, in the days of Herod the king, behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying:

P. 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?

S. And Herod gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, and demanded of them where Christ should be born;

P. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa; for thus it is written by the Prophet, And thou, Bethlehem, art not the least among the princes of Judah, for

out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

S. And when the wise men departed, lo!

the star which they saw in the east went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy;

P. And they opened their treasures, and presented unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

S. And when the parents brought the child Jesus into the temple, a just and devout man named Simeon took him in his arms, and said:

P. Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; S. For mine eyes have seen the salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all thy people:

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

LESSON XLII.

CLOSE OF THE YEAR.

S. Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

P. For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

S. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow, for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

P. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

S. Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am.

P. Hear my prayer, O God, and give ear

unto my cry; for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers

were.

S. What man is he that liveth and shall not see death? Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?

P. He knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust.

S. As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth; for the wind passeth over it, and it is gone, and the place thereof shall know it no

more.

P. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children.

S. I will remember thy works; surely I will remember thy wonders of old.

P. I will meditate also of all thy works, and talk of thy doings.

S. Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and the evening to rejoice. Thou visitest the earth, and greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water.

P. Thou crownest the year with thy goodness, and thy paths drop fatness.

S. I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

P. My meditation of him shall be sweet; I will be glad in the Lord.

S. O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

P. For his merciful kindness is great to

wards us; and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.