3. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

This was probably a registration in order to lay on a tax, though the tax was not immediately levied.-Edit.

4. 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.

6. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

It was foretold by the prophet Micah, that Christ should be born at Bethlehem, and so it must be. It was a long and tedious journey, at that time of the year, from Nazareth to Bethlehem: especially as the way was through a hilly country. Mary had no thoughts of going there to be delivered, and yet to that place God brings her, by the Emperor's decree, just at the critical period. Learn, from hence, to trust to God, to believe his promises, and to leave all to his disposal. Though we may be many times in the dark, and ready to think it a hopeless case with us, the Lord never sleeps, but he is always working all things after the counsel of his own will, to bring about his own ends.

7. And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped hin in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Our sins and fallen state laid him there. Let us look for the cause of his humble dwelling in ourselves. If we would be better for his lying there, let us keep our hearts close to our own case, Who can be in more pitiable circumstances of meanness and distress, than the virgin mother of Jesus Christ, when there was no room for her and her husband in the inn? Was this the woman 66 highly favoured ?” After this, let us never think anything hard that befals us. Argue not from it, that you are therefore forgotten, or despised of God.

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

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.

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.

The angel brings good tidings, not only to the Jews, but to all the world: to every one of us, if we are willing to receive them. The next verse tells us what these good tidings are.

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

A Saviour from sin, and from its cursed effects, from the guilt and power of it, from our evil natures, and from the torments of hell. Do we feel our need of such a Saviour? Is this glad tidings to us? What answer do our hearts give at this moment! If our hearts were never humbled for sin, it is easy to answer for them, that this is cold news

to us.

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

This was a thing to be considered, and at which they might well wonder. None but humble souls can enter into the meaning of this sign. We should have thought it more suitable, if Christ had been born in great state in a palace. But Christ begins to preach poverty of spirit,

the moment he comes into the world.

Behold, in these verses, God's ways, and how his thoughts are not like ours! The blessed Virgin becomes a mother in the stable of an inn: the Lord of glory, and the Saviour of the world, laid in a manger;-his birth proclaimed from heaven first to a company of poor shepherds.

Here is great comfort and encouragement for the poor at all times, if they had but eyes to see it. What may they not look for at the hands of God? What should hinder his power in them now, if they do not hinder it themselves?

Verily, their mouths are stopped; and if a poor, man or woman, does not know and receive Christ, it is because the poor have as hard, and as proud hearts, as the rich.

SECTION VII.

Chap. ii. ver. 13—24.

THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST.

13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Perhaps not one of the heavenly host was absent on this grand occasion. They were praising God for joy, that we might be of their number, and with them praise God for ever. The deliverance of man from the power of sin and Satan was accounted a thing of great importance with them, though in many cases it seems to be nothing in our eyes.

14. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Glory is, and always will be, given to God in heaven. The ethereal palaces ring with God's glory displayed in our salvation, though we are silent, and refuse him the just tribute of our praise. "And on earth peace,"-peace with God, and peace with all nature. There may be, there is peace, wherever Christ is truly known. "Good-will toward men," the good-will of God to men, who has displayed his mercy in our forgiveness; and has bestowed upon us a sense of his reconciliation; and a disposition of universal good-will of men towards one another. It was so intended; it should be so; and if it is not, we must answer for it.

15. 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.

It was but a little, in comparison, which the Lord had made known unto them. We have the advantage of them in many respects, and may know a great deal more of Christ than they did. "Let us go and see," is saying something though we cannot go to him at Bethlehem, he still says to all, "Come unto me." Those who are taught by the Holy Spirit, know how they are to go to Christ.

16. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

They found that which was promised to them, and we shall find all that Christ has told us, to our great comfort. But let us do as the shepherds did; let us make haste.

Another year, or even another month, may be too late to come to Christ. We are not sure of the time, and the longer we stay, the more indisposed we shall be to come to him.

17. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

Angels were the first preachers of Christ after his birth, and poor shepherds the next; and God was with them.

18. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

They mused deeply upon what God was about to do in the earth.

19. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

We ought to do the same with the promises of God, and their accomplishment in Christ; and might, if we were so disposed we have many times opportunities to do so when

we do not. A pondering heart is a gracious heart, and cannot miss of salvation.

20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

They heard and saw; we hear and believe; and one is as blessed as the other. The end of all is, that we may glorify and praise God.

21. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

23. (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord ;)

24. And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

The offering of the poor was two young pigeons. Joseph and Mary had not a lamb to bring, which was the common offering. Lev. xii. 8.

The Collect for the Circumcision will assist us to make a profitable use of this passage." Almighty God, who madest thy blessed Son to be circumcised, and obedient to the law for man; grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit, that our hearts and all our members being mortified from all worldly lusts, we may in all things obey thy blessed will, through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."