VER. 67.]

Name of the Forerunner given.

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59. And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

John was received into the Jewish Church by circumcision, as all others were. The common rule was not dispensed with in his case, though he had been sanctified from his birth and called to be our Lord's forerunner. Thus those who wish to be saints must not

turn aside from ordinary rules and common duties. It is enough for us in all things outward to be as our brethren are.

60. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 61. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 63. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

This very name, like others given in Scripture, signified his character and work. God's grace, his parents felt, had given him to them, and it was God's grace which he came to set forth to others. His life was indeed a short one, and much of it spent in retirement, yet it was long enough for him to preach repentance and lead believing hearts to their Saviour. When our dear children are taken into God's family at their baptism, we must pray that they too may be messengers and servants of Jesus Christ.

64. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

The first use he made of his recovered speech was to praise God. He made no complaints of his dumbness, but submitted to God's visitation, and thanked Him for it. What a happy day will that be when all infirmities shall be removed, and all believing souls able with one heart and voice to declare what God has done for them! Then shall "the tongue of the dumb sing" of God's mercies.

65. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judæa. 66. And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

These warnings were meant to draw attention to John's mission, and invite faith in what he had to say about Jesus Christ. God's hand was manifest in the circumstances of his infancy, and was ever with him to protect him from sin or harm. We too may lean on that Fatherly hand and be sheltered by it.

67. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

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Benedictus.

[S. LUKE 1. Prophecy had ceased for three hundred years, and now it is opened again, and wonderful truths are brought out concerning the salvation to come through Christ. Zacharias had been separated from this world's talk for nine months, and was all the more fit on that account to speak of heavenly things. We often by much talking unfit ourselves for speaking of religion.

68. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

What a visit was the Incarnation!

God enters into man's nature,

and shares its weakness, so as to redeem it from sin and death. God looked on His suffering people and came down to help them, and He does not now forget those who are oppressed, He will surely visit them. He will redeem their bodies from the power of the grave.

69. And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

It is a mighty salvation, strong to overcome sin and death; we may lay hold of it and be safe. David's kingdom was one of earthly power, but the heavenly kingdom is poor and weak outwardly, though mighty to save those who embrace it.

70. As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

All the goodly fellowship of prophets had looked forward to a Deliverer, to a reign of peace, to a time of purity and love. What they longed for has come, God on earth amongst men. They had great faith, and looked onward to the future when their words should come true. We too must wait in patience for the great fulfilment to come.

71. That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

Save us, O Lord, from earthly and from spiritual enemies. The world, the flesh, and the devil are against us, our only hope is in Thy saving grace. However many or strong or successful are thine enemies, O my soul, yet far mightier is He Who created and redeemed thee, and conquered in the fight that thou mightest gain the victory too.

72. To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73. the oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

God had chosen Abraham to be His friend, and had promised that in his seed all nations should be blessed, and now at last this holy promise was coming true. Let us receive God's present promises with the same faith and obedience which holy men of old showed when He spoke to them.

VER. 80.]

Early Days of John Baptist.

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74. That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75. in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

This is Christian service, to walk before God without slavish fear, in purity of life, and with an upright heart; and this not for a short season, but all our days. This comes only of His mercy, not our own strength, yet by His grace it is possible for us. sure. It is only we who are wanting to it.

His word is

76. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

This was to be John's work, and it is that of Gospel messengers in every age, to prepare a way for Christ into the hearts of men. The King is coming, let us make ready. Let sin be put away, and strife healed, and minds enlightened, that so the Lord of mercy may come with all His gifts and enter our poor hearts and abide there.

77. To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

Let us be learners in this school. The knowledge of salvation is the most needful of all learning, and God teaches us that it consists not in any power or wisdom or goodness of our own, but in His pardoning love. The best of us have much to be forgiven.

78. Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

The first ray of light which pierces a darkened heart, and all the graces which follow it, are alike the effects of God's love. It is His gift, not our own doing. We can turn with confidence to Him, knowing that He cares for us. The coming of Christ into the world is the dawn of day to mankind, and it rises on each of us in our turn.

79. To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

We must no longer sit brooding and helpless in the darkness, but rise and step forward towards the heavenly city. Once we were lost, and had nothing but death to look for; but now the light is come, and

we can see our way.

80. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

John grew strong in spirit, no fear of man had power over him, but he remained waiting quietly till his time was come to go forth and preach to Israel. He obeyed God by silence as he did by speakWho can preach rightly except he has been at times alone with God and felt His presence near?

ing.

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Bethlehem.

[S. LUKE II.

CHAPTER II.

Augustus taxeth all the Roman empire. 6. The nativity of Christ. 8. One angel relateth it to the shepherds: 13. many sing praises to God for it. 21. Christ is circumcised. 22. Mary purified. 28. Simeon and Anna prophesy of Christ: 40. who increaseth in wisdom, 46. questioneth in the temple with the doctors, 51. and is obedient to his parents.

AND

ND it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

The emperor desired an account of the population and wealth of his great empire and its dependent kingdoms, so he had a census taken, which embraced Judea amongst other countries; but God overruled all this in order to bring about the birth of His Son at Bethlehem. Augustus and his court knew nothing of the coming of Christ, the true King. God revealed it to a few simple persons, but hid it from the great ones of the world.

4.

3. 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 Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David :) 5. to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Joseph and Mary went up to Bethlehem, whence their family came, to give in their names there according to Jewish custom; they took a long journey for the purpose, and obeyed in all things the orders which the government had issued. Hence we learn that believers should submit cheerfully to the powers that be (in all that does not cross God's law). They entered as poor strangers the city which their ancestor the great king David had made so famous, but they were not discontented nor desirous of a different position. 6. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

The time was come for the Lord of Glory to appear in His own world, yet He came in the form of a helpless Infant, born of a poor mother in a mean lodging amongst strangers. Nothing indicated the wonderful nature of this birth. Christ takes pains to teach us from His very earliest days that we should submit patiently, and not seek great things for ourselves.

7. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him

VER. 12.] The Shepherds on Christmas Night.

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in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Let us adore Christ our Saviour lying as a Babe in the manger. We are not ashamed to think of Him in such a poor and helpless condition, for we know it was for our sakes He put it on. He wished to make trial for Himself of all our life from its beginning to its end, to make us sure of His perfect sympathy. Let us make room for Him in our hearts, and never let care or sin drive away the remembrance of Him from thence.

8. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

The heavenly news of Christmas was revealed to whom? to plain and ordinary persons engaged in keeping sheep. God did this to show honour to labour, and prove to us that human wisdom and grandeur are not the fittest preparation to discern His mysteries. All was silent, they had their work to do and their flock to keep, they expected nothing strange to happen, when the marvellous

news came.

9. 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.

Thanks be to Thee, O Lord, for the ray from heaven which shone into this world's darkness! Shine on my darkened heart, that I may shake off dreams and serve Thee with a wakeful mind. Who would not fear at finding suddenly that God is so near? and yet He is always with us. Our fear should be a constant temper.

10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Here is the true joy, not belonging to this world's pleasures, which are soon over, but a joy which remains even in sorrow, and which can be shared with all and becomes greater in the sharing, the joy of God's salvation. If your life supplies little earthly joy, God can make up for it by large draughts of that which is from above.

11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Glory to Thee, O Lord and King, for Thy entry into this world to fulfil prophecies, to bestow grace, to work out salvation! I believe in Thy power. I trust in Thy mercy. Thou art my Saviour from sin and death and endless woe.

12. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

What a strange sign by which to find the Royal Child! Instead of a palace and royal robes and a majestic presence, they should see only