The shepherds came to Bethlehem’s stable, and in the manger they saw the child Jesus. They knelt and worshipped Him.
We, too, have been in the Presence of Jesus. Now the worship is over. The sacred vessels are removed from the altar. With Simeon, who took Jesus into his arms, we also sing, “Lord, now lettest Thou thy servant depart in peace… for mine eyes have seen Thy Salvation.”
One day Jesus went up into a mountain with his disciples Peter, James, and John. When they reached their destination, “Jesus was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became white as light.”
When we come to Church we also climb a “high mountain apart.” From this mountain we have the most wonderful view. We are shown the great events in the life of Our Lord for our salvation. From this mountain top we see Bethlehem, Mt. Calvary, the Garden of Gethsemane, the empty grave, and the mount of the Ascension. In wonder and devotion we worship, for our risen Lord is present.
“The Little Service Book” was written by the Rev. Berthold von Schenk (1895-1974), pastor of Our Saviour—New York, as an explanation of the Common Service for children.
