Let us read with great joy of the birth of Jesus, the incarnate God.
The census was taken by Augustus, but the actual collecting of the tax was not carried out till the time of Cyrenius.
The decree of Cæsar was made to fulfil the decree of Jehovah, that Jesus should be born in Bethlehem.
Little love had the world for the Redeemer. It could find no room for him, no, not even in the place where the meanest traveller had free accommodation.
“No peaceful home upon his cradle smiled, Guests rudely went and came where slept the royal child.”
To simple minds, humbly doing their duty, the good news first came.
The heavenly messenger had scarcely concluded his announcement before he was joined by others who had hastened after him to swell the glory of the proclamation of the newborn king.
They believed the news, were interested in it, and went to see. If we believe the gospel, let us show our faith practically.
Here were three ways of treating the news concerning Jesus. Some wondered, and there the matter ended, as, it is to be feared, it ends with many who hear it in these days. Mary weighed all these things in her heart; to her they would be a perpetual source of blessing. The shepherds showed their piety in another manner, for they glorified God by telling the glad tidings to others. Have we not good cause to follow their example?
Hark, the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King,
“Peace on earth and mercy mild;
God and sinners reconciled.”
Veil’d in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with men to appear,
Jesus our Immanuel here.
Mild he lays his glory by;
Born, that men no more might die;
Born, to raise the sons of earth;
Born, to give them second birth.
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