thought of it should be like heaping coals of fire upon the offender's head. The extent of such mercy is too high for our 66 mortal comprehension; we cannot attain unto it." And will not He who sat so often by the hearths of men like ourselves be with us also in spirit when we rejoice with Christian festivity, rejoicing in our joy, and receiving our songs and hymns of praise? Or must we forget Him in order to be happy? The worldly banish his remembrance, even while they revel in honour (as they call it) of the day which goes by his name. His true followers could find no joy without Him. In the time of their best earthly happiness, He is their chief delight; and if they sit alone, He is still beside them. What, then, must He be in the "day of trouble and anguish"? Will not the Christmas time remind them that He was then sent "to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord"? And may it not be said at this time, as He himself said in the Temple at Jerusalem, "This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears"? If the Christmas time brings not to us such thoughts-nay, more, such communion with Him- —we may indeed fear that we have not possessed ourselves of half our christian privileges. We may, perhaps, be merely able to acknowledge ourselves to be "faint, but pursuing." Yet let us recollect that there is a strength which cometh from above, and which will be bestowed for the asking. There is a joy which the world giveth not and taketh not away, which can be had for the seeking. He who began to take our infirmities upon Him when cradled in a stable as the child of poor parents, can enter into all our weaknesses and distresses. The shepherds heard of Him and sought Him immediately. "Let us now go," they said, even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass." The wise men came to Jerusalem without delay, saying, "We have seen His star in the East, and are come to worship Him." His gospel teaches us more than was known either to shepherds or wise men; and shall we delay to obey the call which invites us not only to join with, but to realize in our own souls, the blessings spoken of in that immortal song, which says, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men"? 66 J. F. SHAW, BOOKSELLER, SOUTHAMPTON ROW, W.C.; AND London: J. & W. RIDER, Printers, 14, Bartholomew Close. |