Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the day

spring from on high hath visited us,

To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the Isa. ix. 2. shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

SECT. VI.

BIRTH OF JESUS.

(MATT. i. LUKE ii.)

NAZARETH, BETHLEHEM, 25th Dec., 5 B.C.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused* to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with Isa. vii, 14 child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which, being interpreted, is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus,† that all the world should be

* Espousing was a solemn engagement of marriage made before witnesses, after which the parties were accounted husband and wife, though generally six months or so intervened between the espousal and the marriage. After Mary's return from the south country, her condition could not be concealed. The birth of Jesus seemingly took place not long after the marriage.

† Caius Cæsar Octavianus Augustus was proclaimed Emperor of Rome B.C. 29. Amid the prevalence of universal peace he now orders a general census of the whole empire to be taken; and Herod, though nominally an independent king, has to comply with the edict. The mode of taking the census in Judea is,

taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, (because he was of the house and lineage of David,) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.*

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

SECT. VII. ANGELS APPEAR TO THE SHEPHERDS.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 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 this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel according to the yet recognized custom of the country, by every family's repairing to the seat of its tribe, where its genealogical records are kept; and so Joseph and Mary, the descendants of David, journey to the little town of Bethlehem, about five miles from Jerusalem, where David was born. It was a singular instrumentality to employ for the fulfilment of prophecy, and shows how even the worldly designs of man and the movements of the mightiest empires are overruled to bring about the completion of heavenly counsels. Though the enrolment was made at this time, the real assessment does not seem, owing to political difficulties, to have been made until some years afterwards. The clause, however, in reference to Cyrenius, is one of the most difficult and doubtful in the gospel narrative. Cyrenius was a soldier of humble origin, who became consul under Augustus, pro-consul in the province of Africa, and ultimately governor of Syria, of which Judea was then reckoned a part.

Mary accompanied Joseph either because she had property in her own right, or because, in her present delicate state, she was unwilling to be left alone in Nazareth. In regard to the time of the year when Christ was born there can be no certainty. For 300 years after his ascension no special day was kept to commemorate it. We have adopted the 25th of December as having the testimony of tradition in its favour, and as being now so generally observed. The fact that the shepherds with their flocks were then out by night is no conclusive argument against it, the climate of Palestine being sometimes exceedingly mild at that season.

a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

SECT. VIII. CIRCUMCISION OF JESUS AND PRESEN-
TATION IN THE TEMPLE.

(LUKE ii.) BETHLEHEM, 2nd Jan., 4 B.C.

JERUSALEM, 4th Feb., 4 B.C.

And when eight days were accomplished for the circum- Gen. xvii. 12. cising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was

so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

And when the days of her purification according to the law Lev. xii. of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem,

4.

to present him to the Lord; (as it is written in the law of Ex. xiii. 2. the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) and to offer a sacrifice according to that

which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtle doves, or Lev. xii. 6, 8. two young pigeons.

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the

child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a Isa. viii. 14. sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about four score and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

SECT. IX. THE OFFERING OF THE MAGI.*

(MATT. ii.) BETHLEHEM, 22nd Feb., 4 B.C. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from

*The birthplace of the Magi was probably Persia. In that country the Magi formed a caste or tribe, priestly in its office, and princely in its rank and power. Some have held that the conjunction of certain planets produced the appearance which guided these wise men during their long journey; but the greater probability is that it was some extraordinary luminous appearance which served this purpose, and then vanished for ever. The visit of these Persian sages, bowing before the infant Saviour in lowly adoration, and presenting the rarest products of the East, forms one of the most striking and suggestive incidents in the earthly history of Jesus. Some harmonists are inclined to place this part of the history between the circumcision and the presentation in the temple. How this could be I cannot perceive, as the flight to Egypt must have occurred immediately after the visit of the wise men. Once Herod's jealousy was aroused by their inquiries, he would act with great promptitude in his attempt to slay the rival King. Evidently after the presentation Joseph and Mary and Jesus returned to Bethlehem-a walk of two hours only-and the Magi appeared shortly after. Luke, indeed, states that when all things connected with the purification were accomplished they returned into Galilee; but the probable explanation of this is, that after leaving Jerusalem, and after other events not recorded, they went and settled there.

the east to Jerusalem, saying, 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. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Mic. v. 2. Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

SECT. X.

FLIGHT TO EGYPT.
(MATT. ii.)

EGYPT, 24th Feb.,

4 B.C.

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.* When he arose, he

* The massacre of the innocent children of Bethlehem by the cruel Herod is not mentioned by any Jewish historian. His greater crimes probably completely overshadowed it. Besides, in a small, thinly peopled district, there could not be more than thirty or forty male children under two years old, and the order would be executed with silence and despatch.