to the empire, king Herod, in consequence of that decree, commanded all under his government to muster in the city of his people, or place of his descent, that an estimate might be taken of their persons and effects. Pursuant to this order, Joseph and Mary, as descendants from the line of David, departed from Nazareth, where they then resided, and came to Bethlehem, a city of Judea, the place of the nativity of David and his ancestors.

So numerous were the people that repaired to this place on account of the general decree, that every dwelling was occupied; and Joseph and Mary, though they could not depart thence till after the taxation, were forced to take up their residence in a stable, the spot in which it pleased the Divine wisdom should be born the Lord of life and glory, who, as a perfect example of humility to all his followers, was to make his entrance into, and his exit out of, this lower world, in a very mean and humble

manner.

With what humble amazement should we contemplate this first appearance of our incarnate Redeemer. Surely all the angels of heaven might justly have admired his condescension in assuming such a nature as ours, and wearing a mortal frame, though it had been attended

with all the ornaments and splendours which earth could have given it. Though, at his entrance into our lower world, he had been born of an imperial family, placed under a canopy of velvet and gold, or laid to repose on pillows of down, all this had been deep abasement in the eyes of those who had beheld the glories of his celestial throne, and the honour paid him by cherubim and seraphim. But, behold, the Son of God and the Heir of all things is not merely in the abodes of men, but in a place destined for beasts, and, while wrapped in swaddling clothes, is laid in a

Yet, O blessed Jesus, how much more venerable was that stable and manger, when graced with thy sacred presence, than the most magnificent palace, or most shining throne, of earthly princes! How ill doth it become thy disciples to seek great things for themselves in this life, or to be proud of its pomp and grandeur ! Give us, O God, the simplicity of children, and make us willing to be conformed to the birth of thy Son, as well as to his death.

The manner and place of our Lord's birth certainly demand our highest admiration and wonder, as a striking display of wisdom, both in

the direction and accomplishment of the will of his heavenly father. Considered in his divine nature, heaven is the habitation of his seat, and the earth is his footstool: considered in his human nature, he is humbled beneath all, being confined within the narrow limits of a manger! Though, as the Son of God, he is "the brightness of his Father's glory, the express image of his person, and his throne is for ever and ever!" as the Son of man, O wondrous condescension! he is wrapped in the meanest swaddling-clothes; and, as man, he takes up his habitation with the beasts of the field. In fine, let us adore his grace and love in veiling those glories for a time which he enjoyed at the right hand of his Father, assuming our nature, and that in its humblest state, in order to raise us to that degree of glory and happiness which, by our apostacy from God, we have justly forfeited; exulting with the prophet, "Sing, Ŏ heavens! and be joyful, O earth! and break forth into singing, O mountains! for the Lord hath comforted his people."

But the humble manner in which the blessed Jesus made his appearance in the world, did not long eclipse the glory of his descent; a heavenly messenger being despatched from above, to apprise mankind of their Saviour's incarnation.

It pleased the wise disposer of all things, by his holy angel, first to make known to some honest shepherds, who were watching their flocks by night in the neighbouring fields, the birth of the long-promised, long-expected Messiah.

The

radiance which shone around them terrified the astonished peasants; but, to dissipate their fears, and confirm their joys, the divine messenger interposed, and thus addressed 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 baby wrapped in swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger," Luke ii. 10, &c.

The glorious news was no sooner proclaimed, than a number of the celestial choir were heard to resound the praises of the Almighty, for this transcendant display of his goodness to sinful men: "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will towards men." Transported with the happy tidings of the birth of the Redeemer of Israel, the angel no sooner departed, than the shepherds hastened to Bethlehem in quest of the

babe, whom, according to the information of the sacred missionary, they found wrapped in swaddling-clothes, and lying in a manger. This event, so exactly conformable to the angel's prediction, equally delighted and amazed them; nor could they conceal the purport of his mission, but published abroad all they had seen and heard.

Having viewed, with praise and wonder, their long-expected Saviour, and offered their grateful praises to God for the manifestation of his goodness to mankind, they departed, with hearts filled with love and gratitude, still glorifying the Almighty Parent of universal nature.

After the expiration of eight days from the birth of the holy infant, he was circumcised, according to the Mosaic institution; and thus, by a few drops, gave earnest of the abundance of blood which he was to shed for the purification of mankind. The blessed Redeemer passed through the ceremony, not that he stood in any necessity of conforming to laws of any kind, being the supreme Lawgiver, with respect to his exalted nature; but as considered in his humble state, "he was born of a woman, made under the law," and "came," according to his own declaration, "to fulfil all righteousness," it was requisite he should conform to that custom