Then weep not o'er thy children's tomb,
Oh Rachel, weep not so!

The bud is cropt by martyrdom,
The flower in heaven shall blow.

Do you not think Mary and Joseph must have been glad when the angel came again and told them that all danger was over, Herod was dead, and they might now go back in safety to their own land? They started on their journey; but when they reached the borders of the land of Israel, "they heard that Archelaus did reign in the room (or in the stead) of his father, Herod, and they were afraid to go thither." I do not wonder at this: cruel fathers seldom have good sons, and I dare say they were afraid to trust the precious Child within the power of one whose father had shown himself so determined on His destruction. Perhaps for a little they were puzzled to know what to do, but God again directed

them. An angel warned them in a dream to turn aside into the parts of Galilee; and they came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarene."

124

CHAPTER VII.

THE KINGDOM OF GRACE.

WHAT child does not love Christmas, and look forward to it for months beforehand, the brothers and sisters coming home for the holidays, the merry games, the bright fire, the many nice presents. And children are not the only people that love it. Grown people rejoice and are glad, too. High and low, rich and poor, all think a good deal of Christmas.

How many customs there are which mark this time of year, and show the joy which

people feel! This picture shows one of these customs. The people are singing a carol at some rich man's door, and the servant

is coming out with ale and wine for them. I dare say you will think this strange, and that the people are very funnily dressed, too; but I must tell you that this picture is meant to represent the carol - singing of a great many years ago. Carols are sung now, and I dare say you' have often heard them. Sometimes, perhaps, the singers have come to your door and you have given them halfpence. But carols used to be much more thought of years ago than they are now; and some of them were very pretty. Here is

one :

"God rest you, merry gentlemen!
Let nothing you dismay,

For Jesus Christ our Saviour

Was born upon this day;

To save us all from Satan's power,

When we were gone astray.

O tidings of comfort and joy!

For Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas Day.