And when she saw him,

blessed art thou among women. she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto mè according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.'-LUKE i.

CHRIST IS BORN AT BETHLEHEM.

ND it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 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 first-born son, and wrapped Him in swaddling-clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.' With what humble amazement should we contemplate this lowly advent of our incarnate Redeemer! All the angels of heaven might justly have admired His condescension,

R

in assuming such a nature as ours, and wearing a mortal frame, though it had been attended with all imaginable pomp and magnificence. But these earthly splendours are only such in our own eyes. To those happy spirits who surround the starry and dazzling throne of heaven, our utmost attempts at majesty and glory, by means of gold and vestures, must appear but as vile tinsel and rags. -LUKE ii.

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,

SIMEON TAKES CHRIST IN HIS ARMS. 259

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 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 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. And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.'-LUKE ii.

AND,

OND, 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 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.'-LUKE ii.