hath visited and redeemed His people, and hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David; as He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant; the oath which He sware to our father Abraham, That He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins, 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. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

Who was Zacharias? and what happened to him?
What was his wife's name? and whose cousin was she?
What was the name of their child?

For what purpose was John sent?

What did the angel Gabriel say to Mary ?

What visit did Mary go to pay?

Did Mary believe the angel's words?

The Birth of Jesus.

BEDIENT to the king's decree
That all the world should taxed be,
To Bethlehem Mary and Joseph come

From Nazareth, their distant home.

Poor wanderers! wintry was the night,
Only the stars shone cold and bright;
No room in all the inn they found,
But in the stable, on the ground.

And there, betwixt the night and morn,
Was Jesus Christ our Saviour born;
In infant swaddling clothes arrayed,
And in the stable manger laid.

But shepherds, keeping flocks, that night
Saw angels in a glory bright,

Who sang of Peace, good will to men,
And bade them seek the Saviour then.

And wise men, by a wondrous star
Led from the East, came journeying far;
Rich gifts of gold and myrrh brought they,
And worshipped Jesus where He lay.

Dear Lord, so humble, and so mild,
God of the heavens, yet born a child;
Teach us to love Thee, and to try
To learn from Thee humility.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Our Lord is born in a Stable. The Angels sing. Star of the East. Flight into Egypt. Jesus in the Temple.

N

OW it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

And all went

to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa; unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife. And while they were there, she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe

wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude. of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him.

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out

of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule My people Israel.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found Him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship Him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child, with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped him and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return. to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And the child, when he was eight days old, was named Jesus, being so named by the angel before He was born. And when the days of Mary's purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord; and to offer a sacrifice. according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy