Bethlehem, the city being on that public occasion unusually crowded, no room was found for the holy pair at the inn, and they were compelled to take up a mean and incommodious lodging in the abode of cattle; and there, according to the angelic prediction, Mary brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling-clothes, and laid him in a manger. So low did the Lord of life and glory stoop, when He took on Him our human nature, that he might raise us from the ruins of the fall! thus poor did He become, that we through His poverty might be rich! What encouragement have we to trust in His condescending grace, and what powerful motives to imitate His humility! But amidst all this outward meanness, the advent of the Prince of peace was not unattended with suitable manifestations of splendour, and expressions of joy. In the fields of Bethlehem some shepherds kept their flocks by night; when they were surprised by the appearance of an angel, and a visible display of the Divine glory, probably resembling the ancient Shechinah, which had formerly rested over the mercy-seat, but which had now long been suspended. The shepherds were naturally struck with awe and terror at this unexpected invitation; but the heavenly messenger calm. ed their fears, and assured them that he came with a message of peace and joy; even to inform them of the birth of their long-expected Messiah, and to direct their steps to the spot where they might be. hold the infant Saviour. No sooner had he commu

nicated these glad tidings of great joy, than suddenly a multitude of the heavenly host appeared, and sung in the melody of the skies, "Glory to God in the highest; on earth peace, good-will towards men."

How frequently is it seen, that God hath chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of His kingdom! The angelic envoy was sent to announce the Messiah's birth, not to Augustus at Rome, nor to Herod at Jerusalem, not to the philosopher who depended on his reason, nor to the Pharisee, who relied on his traditions, and forgot the spirit of the Scriptures; but to the humble, the poor, the unprejudiced : not to the gay and thoughtless, who, regardless of the declarations of the prophets, and the indications of the times, were asleep and unconcerned about the great things that were transacting, but to the shepherds, that were wakeful, watchful, and obedient, to them were the glad tidings of salvation first sent. What an honour does this put upon humble poverty, on diligence in the pursuit of our lawful callings, and on a humble and ready attention to the Divine intimations!

The believing and obedient shepherds immediately went to Bethlehem, and found it even as the angels had told them, the heavenly Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger, and attended by Mary and Joseph. Their faith thus confirmed, and their hopes fulfilled, they returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen; and communicated the joyful tidings to

their friends and neighbours; no doubt, expecting that they would be received by others with readiness and joy like their own. Considerable notice and inquiry were excited, but it appears that the attention of very few was directed to the real character and glory of the new-born King. On the eighth day after His birth, our Lord was circumcised, and received, according to the angelic intimation, the name of Jesus, (or, a Saviour,) signifying that He should save his people from their sins. Thus He, who for our sakes was "made under the law," would in every instance yield an exact obedience to it: that he might both magnify the law, and make it honourable, and at the same time redeem us from the curse of it. Being "made in the likeness of sinful flesh," He submitted to those rites which in general signified the weaknesses and blemishes of human nature, but from which He was perfectly free. May His Holy Spirit work in us the true circumcision of the heart, mortifying in us all corrupt affections, and making us holy unto the Lord! In like manner, at the appointed time for the purification of the mother, the child Jesus was brought into the temple at Jerusalem, to be presented to the Lord. Though in the case of His virgin mother there were not the same reasons for the ceremonial observance of purification, as in ordinary cases yet would she not plead exemption. The offering appointed on such occasions, was either a lamb, if the circumstances of the party afforded it, or, in case of poverty, a pair of turtle-doves or two