December 23

"Through the tender mercy of our God: whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." — Luke 1:78, 79.

THREE things are here presented to our view in reference to the advent of Christ.

ITS NECESSITY. This is proved from the affecting and awful condition of mankind by sin. It is a state of darkness. The Jews lived under a comparatively dark dispensation, and all other nations were sunk into a state of pagan ignorance and superstition. But Christ is denominated the light of the world. The dayspring signifies the dawn or first rays of the sun rising in majestic grandeur in the eastern skies. It is a state of death. Sinners are dead in trespasses and sins, dead to the knowledge of God, the love of Christ, and the grace of the Spirit. It is a state of error. Therefore it is said, he came to guide our feet. We all, like sheep, have gone astray; we have wandered far from God, happiness, holiness, and heaven. It is a state of enmity. Therefore Jesus guides us into the way of peace.

ITS DESIGN. This is fourfold, and exactly meets the case of poor perishing sinners. Is our natural state one of darkness? He is the dayspring from on high, to dispel the mists of superstition, and remove the clouds of ignorance that gathered around the children of men. Is our natural state one of death? He imparts spiritual life in the work of grace, and eternal life in the realms of glory. Is our natural state one of error? He guides our feet. Is it one of enmity? He leads us into peace.

ITS SOURCE. "Through the tender mercy of our God." Observe

His endearing character. "Our God." He is so in Christ. Here we have God in our nature, and God on our side; our God under the most interesting relations.

The attribute ascribed to him. "Tender mercy." The mercy of God is seen in every link of the chain of our salvation — but notice the quality of this attribute, "tender mercy." This is expressive, and signifies the yearning compassion of a fond parent. Let us inquire whether this dayspring from on high has visited us, whether the first beams of the Sun of righteousness have darted on our souls.