CONTENTS. We have here related to us the birth of Christ; the visit of the Wise Men from the East, led by a star to worship him; the consternation induced in the minds of Herod, and the whole city of Jerusalem, at the event of Christ's birth; the ministry of an angel to Joseph, and the flight of Jo... [ Continue Reading ]
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. I should be led to conceive, that this visit of the Wise Men was not immediately on the birth of Christ, but perhaps a considerable time after. Some have thought nearly two years. F... [ Continue Reading ]
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. That Herod should be troubled at this intelligence was natural enough; and from the character which follows in this chapter of this unfeeling man, it is easy enough to discover the cause of his trouble. But tha... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. Herod, it should seem by this question, was no stranger to the prophecies of scripture, and had heard how Israel expected a king, that should arise to deliver them from... [ Continue Reading ]
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 my people Israel. It is very blessed to behold, how the Lord is causing both Jews and Gentiles to minister unto his dear Son. Let the Reader turn to Isaiah 60:... [ Continue Reading ]
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. I would beg the Reader to pause over those verses, for several interesting circumstances of improvement arise from them. What... [ Continue Reading ]
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. It appears that Herod had so disguised his intentions, that the wise men had no consciousness of it. So is it in common life. But the Lord readeth the heart. What a wonderful ministry was this star! Evidently it must have had a particul... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. I beg the Reader to remark with me, that the Wise Men saw not Joseph.... [ Continue Reading ]
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. I stay not to enquire further concerning the divine intimation to those men, but just to remark, how the LORD was watching over the whole of this most interesting event, in rela... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. What an interesting subject the fligh... [ Continue Reading ]
And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. It is worthy observation, here all along mention is made of the young child and his mother, without the least intimation of any relationship to... [ Continue Reading ]
In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. Here is opened the mystery of iniquity which lay brooding in the heart of Herod, all the while he put on the apparent regard he proposed t... [ Continue Reading ]
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Reader! pause over this verse, and contemplate the awful death of this man. Ah Herod! is this the termination of all thy grandeur? Hast thou so shortly after followed thy murdered subjects to the grave? If... [ Continue Reading ]
And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. The most interesting of all subjects, is to eye CHRIST as the Great Nazarene. Few have ever considered the importance of the name; and yet there is none by whi... [ Continue Reading ]