Part 1 (2/2)

The angel speaks and, gladly, men record:-- ”I bring you joyful tidings from above: This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord!”

Hark! ”Peace on earth, and G.o.d's good-will to men!”

The angels sing, and heaven resounds with praise-- That fallen man may live with G.o.d again, Through Christ, who deigns the sons of men to raise.

W. F. D

_CHAPTER I._

THE ORIGIN AND a.s.sOCIATIONS OF CHRISTMAS.

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS: THE ADVENT OF CHRIST.

Behold, a virgin shall conceive, And bear a Son, And shall call His name Immanuel.

(_Isaiah_ vii. 14.)

[Ill.u.s.tration]

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son; and thou shalt call His name Jesus; for it is He that shall save His people from their sins. Now all this is come to pa.s.s, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a Son, And they shall call His name Immanuel;

which is, being interpreted, G.o.d with us. And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took unto him his wife; and knew her not till she had brought forth a Son; and he called His name Jesus.

(_Matthew_ i. 18-25.)

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”There went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And Joseph went to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.” (_Luke_ ii. 1-5.)]

And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign unto you; Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a mult.i.tude of the heavenly host praising G.o.d, and saying,

Glory to G.o.d in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom He is well pleased.

And it came to pa.s.s, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pa.s.s, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in the manger. And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child. And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising G.o.d for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.

(_Luke_ ii. 8-20.)

THE PLACE OF THE NATIVITY.

The evangelist Matthew tells us that ”Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king;” and Justin Martyr, who was born at Shechem and lived less than a century after the time of Christ, places the scene of the Nativity in a cave. Over this cave has risen the Church and Convent of the Nativity, and there is a stone slab with a star cut in it to mark the spot where the Saviour was born. Dean Farrar, who has been at the place, says: ”It is impossible to stand in the little Chapel of the Nativity, and to look without emotion on the silver star let into the white marble, encircled by its sixteen everburning lamps, and surrounded by the inscription, '_Hic de Virgine Maria Jesus Christus natus est_.'”

To visit such a scene is to have the thoughts carried back to the greatest event in the world's history, for it has been truly said that the birth of Christ was the world's second birthday.

Now, death is life! and grief is turn'd to joy!

Since glory shone on that auspicious morn, When G.o.d incarnate came, not to destroy, But man to save and manhood's state adorn!

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