December 25

"Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass."—Luke 2:15.

THE shepherds rejoiced, and well they might.

Up above them they saw God reconciled. The Child has come to honour His wounded righteousness, and to open a channel for the outflow of His love towards His exiled sons and daughters. The Father and the children, long sundered, are drawn together again.

Far behind them they saw faith satisfied. Holy men and women of old, century after century, were looking and waiting for the Child. He was the Centre of their hopes, the Desire of their souls. They greeted Him from afar. And now their trust was rewarded.

Deep within them they saw a heart at rest. They carried about a nature diseased, hopeless to recover itself, wearied with going to many physicians. But the Child was to be the Lord their Healer. He would forgive their iniquities. He would end their quest. He would redeem their lives from destruction.

On before them they saw heaven filled with guests. The Child was to open the gates of pearl. In the New Jerusalem they would gather, as at the Passover they gathered in the old Jerusalem; but how infinitely more countless, and how infinitely more blessed!

Do I rejoice with the shepherds of the Judæan fields? There were many who did not. For—

"Men of grave and moral word,

With consciences defiled,

Said, 'Let the old truth still be heard;

We want no Child.'"

Better will it be for me to rank with the babes than with the wise and prudent.