February 9

Exodus 23:14. Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.

15. Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt; and none shall appear before me empty); 16. And the feast of harvest, the first-fruits of thy labors, which thou hast sown in the field; and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labors out of the field. 17. Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord God. Luke 2:40. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him. 41. Now, his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42. And, when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43. And, when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

The "day's journey," mentioned in verse 44, must not be measured by modern standards. In the East, a caravan setting out upon a march of several days would commonly start after noon, and go only a few miles before encamping for the first night. This short stage enables the company to review its stores, and make sure that nothing is wanting or left behind.

Three special feasts were enjoined upon the Jews; and once a year certainly, at the feast of unleavened bread, every male made it a point to go up to Jerusalem. So great was the crowd at the Passover, and such the confusion at starting, that Joseph and Mary might very naturally have begun the journey without missing Jesus, taking it for granted that he was in the party with relatives or neighbors. In Jerusalem there was no police station at which they could make inquiries, no town-crier whom they could send out to search for the lost child, no

44. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45. And, when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions. 47. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48. And, when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? 50. And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them; but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

newspaper in which they could advertise for him. The city was still thronged with strangers; and the temple was the last place where they would think of looking: so the search lasted over two days.

In the temple-parches, the scribes gave instruction in the law; and here the child asked and answered questions, while the bystanders heard him with amazement. But how true to nature it was that his mother, instead of joining in this admiration, should give vent to her sorrow, and that the very intensity of her love and grief should give a tone of chilling to her first utterance! The answer of Jesus marks the dawning consciousness of his divine mission. But how beautiful an example he gave of filial love and obedience! That he grew in wisdom and stature shows how completely human was his nature; that he increased in favor with God and man shows how divine was the life within.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 142, 148.

O Thou who didst humble thyself to be born of a virgin, the everlasting Son of the Father, the Prince of peace! we bless and adore thee for thy grace, and compassion for us sinners. We give thanks unto the Father, who so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life; we praise and worship the Son, who took upon him our nature that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Oh! grant us, we beseech thee, thy peace, through the forgiveness of sin, reconciliation with God, and the indwelling of the Spirit, that we may glorify and praise thee in our lives for all that we have heard and seen of thy grace.

[May the children of this family remember that Jesus came as a little child to bless them! may they give their hearts to his love!] and may we all, in the spirit of little children, love and serve Him who came into the world to save sinners! And, oh, may the world be saved! may all men come to Christ! may peace reign on earth, and goodwill bind all hearts together for the glory of God!

We bless thee, Lord, that thine angels have kept watch over us in the night. We pray that the love that has defended us may go with us this day and always. Grant us thy peace, — that peace which the world cannot give. And to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, will we ascribe all honor and glory. Amen.