THE GOSPELS.* V. 1. LESSON CXLVII. The Birth of Christ.-His Circumcision. LUKE II. And it came to pass in those days, that there went out. a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should 2 be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius 8 was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every 4 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. And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling-clothes, and laid him in a manger; be8 cause there was no room for them in the inn. 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. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all 11 people. For unto you is born this day in the city of 12 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 18 * The narrative of the Gospels in these Selections is given continuously, sometimes in the words of one Evangelist, sometimes of another, and is arranged according to the chronological order of events adopted in " The Harmony of the four Gospels in English," by Professor Edward Robinson, D.D., LL.D., compared with the “Original Harmony of the Four Gospels," by the Rev. S. F. Jarvis, D.D., LL.D. The order of events from the beginning of the last week of our Lord's life until his Ascension is given according to the latter authority. there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly 14 host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the high 15 est, 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. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, 17 and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was 18 told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the 19 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 a heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS. 26 27 LESSON CXLVIII. Simeon and Anno prophesy of Christ. 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. 83 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things 84 which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, 28 29 80-31 82 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 87 pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of 86 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 fourscore 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. MATT. II. V. 1. ง LESSON CXLIX. The wise Men directed by a Star. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from 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, 4 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 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 1 my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired 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 6 |