Thus they sat in the stillness of the night, bent under the sufferings of the age, as in former days Israel sat at the rivers of Babylon: Nobody dared play the harp! Nay--who would really be able to let the harp chords burst out in a song of joy--under _such conditions_? That would have been almost levity. But the sigh had ascended up high, and the Angel stood before them saying: I can! I can make the harp play a song of joy. I come from the mansions of Heaven with a cheering 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 Saviour, which is Christ the Lord----" And then the first of all jubilant Christmas hymns was borne upon the pure lips of angels and carried all over the earth. That was the sweet _music from Heaven_ which shall never die. It shall sound for all those who sit in misery, or who sigh because of their poverty--for those who think that their life has become so turned upside down that nothing can ever be righted again--for those who sigh: No, under such circumstances we cannot sing the cheery songs. To all these it shall be said: _It is not impossible, at all!_ It doesn't matter so much how your living conditions are, difficult or easy, dark or bright, nor how disrupted your life may be. What does matter, is whether or not you have room for Jesus. You say: Alas--if He only would, but---- Remember, my dear, that at one time He was satisfied with a _manger_ and with a _cross_. While on the cross He said to a miserable malefactor: "To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise." And on another occasion He said to a woman taken in adultery: "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more!" _Fear not!_ That was the first tone in the music from Heaven, and it was meant for _you_, also. Indeed, He will abide with you, too, when you will give Him room in your heart. Also you He will save into His heavenly realm. But, then tell me: Isn't there, even considering your wants and circumstances, every reason why you should sing a Christmas hymn with joy in your heart? It was not levity that made the angels sing jubilantly that Christmas Eve: _They had beheld that which had been prepared for mankind through the love of God our Father_. Therefore, they could sing the jubilant songs. So, try then to look beyond all the _despair_ down here. Try to raise your eyes to the bright Heavens--to that which has been prepared for you through the love of God our Father. If it does happen, nevertheless, that once in a while you bend your head _downward_, then let the sigh soar _upward_--for it may thus happen that angels will visit you. Therefore it shall be proclaimed loudly by the church of Jesus Christ--from the city on the mountain throughout all the lands of the earth--to all those who have room for Jesus: _Fear not! It is never so dark in your life that there is no room for the joyful songs of Christmas!_ 3. _Well-Springs of Joy_