December 25

"The child Jesus."—Luke 2:43.

To the contemplation of this lofty subject we are naturally led by the return of this annual season, commonly called Christmas Day. Let us, then, behold in the child Jesus

AN OBJECT OF WONDER. Were all the angels of heaven transformed into the most insignificant insects, this would be a mystery; but it would bear no comparison with the amazing fact of God manifest in the flesh. Think of the everlasting Father becoming a little child; he who thunders in the heavens, weeping in the manger; he who is clothed with light as a garment, wrapt in swaddling clothes. Let us go to Bethlehem, and see the child Jesus.

AN OBJECT OF JOY. Rejoice in him as the mercy promised to the Fathers, the Seed of the woman, Jacob's Shiloh, Isaiah's Immanuel, Jeremiah's King, Ezekiel's Shepherd, Daniel's Son of Man, Zechariah's Branch, Micah's Ruler of Israel, Haggai's Desire of all Nations, Malachi's Angel of the Covenant, Abraham's Sacrifice, Noah's Ark, Jacob's Ladder, Moses' Brazen Serpent, Solomon's Temple, the Foundation-stone in the building of mercy, the brightest Jewel in the cabinet of truth, the Pearl of great price in the field of Scripture, the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley in the garden of the Church, the Sun of righteousness in the firmament of revelation — rejoice in the wonders of his incarnation, the holiness of his life, the efficacy of his death, the sufficiency of his atonement, the prevalence of his intercession, and the triumphs of his grace.

AN OBJECT OF LOVE. Every thing connected with the Saviour should excite our admiration, and call forth our esteem. His infinite dignity, his Mediatorial excellences, his glorious undertaking, and his unparalleled sufferings, all demand our love; and, if we withhold it, the very stones will cry out against us.

AN OBJECT OF FAITH. We are called upon to look at "the child Jesus," not as unconcerned spectators, but as those who are, or desire to be, interested in the delightful scene.