February 3

For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, Christ the Lord.—Luke 2:17.

FOUR thousand years had rolled round, since God had given the promise of a Saviour to the world. Patriarchs, and prophets, and kings, had been looking for its fulfilment, and hoping for its realization, but had died without the sight. At last however, an angel reveals to Mary, the highly favoured of the Lord, that she was to be mother of the long predicted Messiah. The same event is disclosed to Joseph, and now the actual appearance of Jesus is announced; "this day is born in the city of David, Christ the Lord." The place of the Redeemer's birth was Bethlehem, called in the text, "the city of David," the birth place of the illustrious psalmist, which had been referred to, by the prophet Micah 5:2. Matthew 2:5. Here the Redeemer made his first appearance in our world. "Unto you is born," said the celestial Messenger, to the astonished shepherds, "Christ the Lord." All that Jesus undertook, all that he did, all that he suffered, and all that he is now doing, is for us. He was born for our welfare and salvation. Love to us brought him from heaven to earth, from a throne to a manger, and from the glory, homage, and adoration of the holy hosts; to be clothed with human form, an helpless babe in the manger at Bethlehem. How important and illustrious that day! a day which Abraham had seen afar off, and which even then, had filled him with delight. A day, for which the church had been believing and hoping, and which had been the constant theme of every song, and the burden of every prayer. Now commenced the morning of the gospel era, the latter days, which were to be crowned with light, and life, and glory.

Behold the morning star, with its brilliant rays, illumines the horizon; and while the shepherds gaze in wonder, the tidings of a Saviour's birth are revealed. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, Christ the Lord. How changed the terms made use of, previously it had been predicted and promised that at some future time, Messiah should appear; but the glorious event is now realized. Unto you is born; he now lives, of whom all the prophets spake; the first event in the history of redemption has taken place. The child is born, the son is given, the mercy promised to the Fathers, hath now appeared; God indeed is dwelling with men upon the earth. For this day is born unto you, Christ the Lord.