melody. Midway between Jerusalem and Bethlehem a company of shepherds guarded the flocks intended for sacrificial purposes in the Temple; suddenly in their midst appeared an angel, dazzling bright, and higher hovered hundreds of bright spirits. One moment's silence while the heavenly messenger announced his tidings of great joy, and then, as chorus follows solo, so the entire band burst forth and swelled the glad refrain: " Glory to God in the highest, and on earth to men of good will peace." Gradually it died away and the light faded from the sky, as when the grand Cathedral functions close and the music ceases and the myriad tapers are one by one extinguished. But like the incense odor in the vacant aisles, like the whispering echoes of music long since played, comes the sound of that hymn played round the shepherds on their way to Bethlehem, and in the cave, and ever afterwards; and down the ages reechoing from heart to heart and from soul to soul, gathering all like children round the crib of Bethlehem, rolls on that heavenly chorus: " Glory to God in the highest, and on earth to men of good will peace."
Brethren, there is a deep significance in the fact that the first announcement of the Messias' birth was made to the shepherds of the flock intended for the Temple and for God, that through them the tidings of great joy should come to all mankind. Very appropriately, too, the angel while delivering his message, pointed to Bethlehem, for Jesus is the model for us all and the angelic hymn of " Glory to God, good
