The conclusion of the former chapter acquainted us with the birth of John the Baptist; the beginning of ths chapter relates the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and the remarkable circumstances which did attend it. And here we have observable, 1. The place where he was born, not at Nazareth, but... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we have the promulgation and first publishing of our Saviour's birth to the world: THE ANGEL SAID UNTO THE SHEPHERDS,. BRING YOU GLAD TIDINGS,. Saviour is born. Where observe, 1. The messenger employed by God to publish the joyful news of. Saviour's birth; the holy angels, heavenly messengers e... [ Continue Reading ]
Although the birth of our blessed Saviour was published by one angel, yet is it celebrated by. host of angels;. whole choir of angels chaunt forth the praises of Almighty God, upon this great and joyful occasion. Here observe, 1. The singers. 2. The song itself. The singers of this heavenly anthe... [ Continue Reading ]
Several particulars are here observable: as, 1. That the shepherds no sooner heard the news of. Saviour, but they ran to Bethlehem to seek him; and though it was at midnight, yet they delayed not to go. Those that left their beds to attend their flocks, now leave their flocks to inquire after their... [ Continue Reading ]
Two things are here observable, 1. Our Saviour's circumcision, and the name given him at his circumcision. There was no impurity in the Son of God, and yet he is circumcised, and baptized also, though he had neither filth nor foreskin, which wanted either the circumcising knife or the baptismal wate... [ Continue Reading ]
A twofold act of obedience doth the Holy Virgin here perform to two ceremonial laws, the one concerning the purification of women after child-birth, the other concerning the presenting the male-child before the Lord. The law concerning the purification of women we have recorded. Leviticus 12 Where... [ Continue Reading ]
No sooner was our Saviour brought into the temple and presented to the Lord by his holy parents, but in springs old Simeon,. pious and devout man who had. revelation from God that he should not die until he had with his bodily eyes seen the promised Messiah. Accordingly, HE TAKES UP THE CHILD JESUS... [ Continue Reading ]
These words are. sweet canticle, or swan-like song, of old Simeon,. little before his dissolution. He had seen the Messiah before by faith, now by sight, and wishes to have his eyes closed, that he might see nothing after this desirable sight. It is said of some Turks, that after they have seen Maho... [ Continue Reading ]
Two things are here observed, Simeon's blessing, and Simeon's prediction; HE BLESSED THEM: that is, the parents and the child Jesus: not authoritatively, but prophetically, declaring how God would bless them. His prediction is twofold, 1. Concerning Christ. 2. Concerning his mother. Concerning C... [ Continue Reading ]
Simeon is seconded by Anna,. prophetess; she also declares that the child Jesus was the promised and expected Messiah: and thus Christ was proclaimed in the temple by two heralds of different sexes. Concerning this aged woman, Anna, it is said, that SHE DEPARTED NOT FROM THE TEMPLE NIGHT NOR DAY; n... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we see the truth and reality of Christ's human nature: he grew as we do, from infancy to childhood, from childhood to youth and manhood. To his divine nature no accession or addition could be made, for that which is infinite cannot increase. The Deity was infinite in Christ, so was not the huma... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, the persons making this yearly journey to Jerusalem; our Saviour's parents and himself. 1. Joseph, who is called Christ's father, not that he was his natural father, for Christ had no father upon earth: but Joseph was his reputed and supposed father, his nursing father, who by the app... [ Continue Reading ]
The service of the temple being ended, they return home to Nazareth. Religious duties are not to be attended to the prejudice and neglect of our particular callings. God calls us, as well from his house as to his house. They are much mistaken, who think God is pleased with nothing but devotion: he t... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The place where the child Jesus is found, IN THE TEMPLE: where could there be. more likely place to find the Son of God, than in the house of his Father? No wonder that his parents found him there; but that they went not first to seek him there. Observe, 2. At twelve years old our... [ Continue Reading ]
Without doubt it was impossible to express the sorrow of the Holy Virgin's soul, when all the search of three days could bring them no tidings of their holy child. How did she blame her eyes for once looking off this object of her love, and spend both days and nights in. passionate bemoaning of her... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, that Christ blames not his parents for their solicitous care of him, but shows them how able he was to live without any dependency upon them and their care; and also to let them understand, that higher respects had called him away; that as he had meat to eat, so he had work to do, whic... [ Continue Reading ]
The most material passage of our Saviour's life for the first twelve years is here recorded; namely, his disputing with the doctors in the temple: how he spent the next eighteen years, namely, till he was thirty, the Scriptures doth not mention. It is here said, that he lived with, and was subject t... [ Continue Reading ]