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 ]