duct it. They have given a celestial lustre to the body of the new-born babe, and represented it, in their pictures, as splendidly shining by its own light. They have said that the very cattle which stood by, fell upon their knees to acknowledge the heaven-descended child; and multitudes still believe, that at midnight, on the anniversary of the nativity, the cattle every where kneel in their stalls to commemorate the Redeemer's birth. But all this is the imagination of man. In no such puerile way did Providence testify to the greatness of the infant prophet. The wonders which God wrought were of a higher and more significant character.

It is customary among men to announce the birth of a prince by formal messages to other princes, in order to receive their congratulations, and to proclaim it in form to the people over whom he is to reign. The Evangelist has recorded something of this kind on the present occasion. Not indeed a message to princes, or a proclamation to the nation; but something far more beautiful, and more consonant to the nature of the new kingdom of the Messiah. In the still midnight, while the shepherds of Bethlehem were watching their flocks in the fields, a light burst upon them from the heavens, and the angel of the Lord, as an ambassador from God, appeared before them. He announced to them the birth

of the Messiah, and was immediately joined by a multitude of voices, singing that delightful anthem: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men."-The shepherds went to Bethlehem, and found the child as the angel had said; and Mary, strongly affected by this new proof that she was mother of the Messiah, "kept all these things and pondered them in her heart."

After forty days had passed, the time arrived when she must present herself with her child at the Temple, and make the offerings which the law required. It being her first child, there was a double ceremony to be performed. Forty days after the birth of all children, the mother was bound to appear at the temple with the sacrifice of a lamb for a burnt-offering, and a turtle dove or a young pigeon for a sin-offering. Those who could not afford to bring a lamb, were allowed to offer a pigeon or turtle dove as a substitute; and it is an evidence of the humble station of Mary, that she brought two turtle doves, which was permitted to the poor. which was required at the birth of every child, in the case of the first-born son there was an extraordinary ceremony to be passed through. In order to keep alive a solemn memory of the providence which delivered the nation from Egypt by the death of the Egyptian first-born, the law re

the offering Besides this,

quired that every first-born male, of man and of beast, should be sacred to the Lord;-the beast to be sacrificed, and the child to be redeemed. This redemption consisted in paying to the priest, for the service of the temple, five shekels;* a sum equal to about two dollars seventy-eight cents. Mary therefore must redeem her child. Accordingly, having presented her humble sacrifice, she proceeded " to do for him, as the Evangelist says, "after the custom of the law; "—that is, to present him to the Lord, and pay the price of his redemption. Here she was called to another scene which honored her son, and tried and delighted her own feelings.

There was an aged man in Jerusalem by the name of Simeon, a devout and religious person, whose mind was filled with an earnest longing for the coming of the Messiah and the consolation of Israel. And he had been favored with the assurance that he should not die, until his desire had been accomplished. This venerable saint had come into the Temple just at the moment when the parents of Jesus had brought their firstborn to the altar; and being assured that this was the child for whose coming he had been waiting, he took it in his arms, and giving utterance to his holy delight, blessed God and said: "Lord, now

* Numbers xviii. 15, 16.

lettest thou thy servant depart in peace! for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." He added a prophecy of the greatness and the offices of the child. This was not all. Scarcely had he ended, when the wondering parents were astonished by the entrance of another ancient person, a prophetess, named Anna, who dwelt continually in the temple, occupied in offices of religion. On seeing the child, she broke out in thanksgiving to God, and spake of him to all who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. By such circumstances was the faith of the parents confirmed.

Another event is recorded by Matthew, by which the nativity was honored and proclaimed. Certain Magi, philosophers from some eastern country, (he does not say what,) having seen an unusual star, and believing, as was a common idea in ancient times, that it intimated the birth of an extraordinary person, followed it till they arrived at Jerusalem. There had long prevailed an expectation in that part of the world, that a great prince should arise in Judea and obtain the empire of the world. These philosophers did not doubt that this star was sent to proclaim his coming. And they accordingly inquired on their arrival, "Where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and

Matthew ii.

are come to worship him." In former days the word worship expressed the homage paid to princes and great men, as well as that paid to God. They seem to have made this inquiry of king Herod himself; as was very natural they should do, for they would readily suppose that the newborn prince would be one of the royal family. But no. Herod knew nothing of it; and not only so, but he was greatly troubled to hear it. He was aware that the Messiah was expected; he thought that this might be he, and he feared therefore for his own power and authority. He seems to have resolved at once on the course to be taken. He accordingly summoned a meeting of the chief priests and scribes. This was probably the great council of the Sanhedrim. He inquired of them, at what place the Messiah was to be born. They referred him to a passage of the prophet Micah, [v. 2.] in proof that he would be born at Bethlehem of Judea. To Bethlehem therefore he sent the inquiring strangers; directing them to return to him when they had found the child, that he too might go and show him honor.

To Bethlehem accordingly they went. There they prostrated themselves in the oriental fashion before the infant, and agreeably to the customs of the world, laid before him their presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But they were