when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, (because he was of the house and lineage of David,) 5 To be taxed with Mary his though he was not actually made general till many years afterwards. According to this, Augustus sent Cyrenius, an active, enterprising man, to take this census. At that time he was a Roman senator. Afterwards he was made governor of the same country, and received the title which Luke gives him. Syria. The region of country north of Palestine, and lying between the Mediterranean and the Euphrates. The word Syria, called in the Hebrew Aram, from a son of Shem, (Gen. x. 22,) in its largest acceptation, extended from the Mediterranean and the river Cydnus to the Euphrates, and from mount Taurus on the north to Arabia and the border of Egypt on the south. It was divided into Syria Palestina, including Canaan and Phenicia, CaloSyria, between two ridges of mount Lebanon, and Upper Syria. The last was known as Syria in a restricted sense. The leading features in the physical aspect of Syria consist of the great mountainous chains of Lebanon, or Libanus, and Anti-Libanus, extending from north to south, and the great desert lying on the south-east and east. The valleys are of great fertility, and yield abundance of grain, vines, mulberries, tobacco, olives, excellent fruits, as oranges, figs, pistachios, &c. The climate, in the inhabited parts, is exceedingly fine. Syria is inhabited by various descriptions of people, but Turks and Greeks form the basis of the population in the cities. The only tribes tha can be considered as peculiar to Syria are the tenants of the heights of Lebanon. The most remarkable of these are the Druses and Maronites. The general language is Arabic: the oldiers and officers of government espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be deliver ed. 7 And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. a Matt.1.25. speak Turkish. Of the old Syriac no traces exist. Bethlehem, 4. The city of David. called the city of David because it was the place of his birth. See Matt. ii. 1. Because he was of the house. Of the family. And lineage. The lineage denotes that he was descended from David as his father, or ancestor. In taking a Jewish census, families were kept distinct. Hence all went into the tribe to which they belonged, and to the place where their family had resided. Joseph was of the tribe of Benjamin, and of the particular family of David. Hence he went up to the city of David. It is not improbable that he might also have had a small paternal estate in Bethlehem that rendered his presence there more desirable. 7. Her first-born son. Whether Mary had any other children or not, has beer a matter of controversy. The obvious meaning of the Bible is that she had, and if this be the case, the word first born is here to be taken in its common signification. Swaddling clothes. When a child among the Hebrews was born, it was washed in water, rubbed in salt, and then wrapped in swaddling clothes; that is, not garments regularly made, as with us, but bands or blankets that confined the limbs closely. Ezek. xvi. 4. There was nothing peculiar in the manner in which the infant Jesus was treated. ¶ Laid him in a manger. The word manger, in the English language, means "the box or trough in which provender is placed for horses or cattle. This is not the meaning of the word here. It means simply the stable, or the place where the cattle or camela lodged. There was no room at the inn, and they were obliged to lie in the stable or barn, and it was there hat the 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch 1 over their flock by night. 9 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. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 1 or, the night-watches. child was laid. Their being there was no proof of poverty. It was a simple matter of necessity. There was no room at the inn. It may be added that in eastern countries it is not very unusual for travellers to pass the night in this manner. In the caravansy it is common for the whole caravan of camels, horses, and people, to lodge in the same place. Indeed the only pillow which children often have is the side of a horse, with which the whole family lie down. Horses are trained to remarkable gentleness and docility. Yet it is worthy of our consideration that Jesus was born poor. He did not nherit a princely estate. He was not cradled, as many are, in a palace. He had no rich friends. He had virtuous, pious parents, of more value to a child than many riches. And in this we are shown that it is no dishonor to be poor. Happy is that child who, whether his parents be rich or poor, has a pious father and mother. It is no matter, if he has not as much wealth, as fine clothes, or as splendid a house as another. It is enough for him to be as Jesus was, and God will bless him. No room at the inn. Many people assembled to be enrolled, and the tavern was filled before Joseph and Mary arrived. 11 For unto you a is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. b 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the hea venly host, praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, a Is.9.6. b Ps.103.20,21. 1 Pe.1.12. latter part of October or the first of No vember, when the cold weather com menced. While away in these deserts and mountainous regions, it was proper that there should be some one to attend them, to keep them from straying, and from the ravages of wolves and other wild beasts. It is clear from this that our Saviour was born before the 25th of December, or before what we call Christmas. At that time it is cold, and especially in the high and mountainous regions about Bethlehem. God has concealed the time of his birth. There is no way to ascertain it. By different learned men it has been fixed at each month in the year. Nor was it of consequence to know the time; if it had been, God would have preserved the record of it. Matters of moment are clearly revealed. Those which God regards as of no importance are concealed. ¶ Keeping watch, &c. More literally, "tending their flocks by turns through the night watches.' 9. The glory of the Lord. This is the same as a great glory-that is, a splendid appearance or light. The word glory is often the same as light. 1 Cor. xv. 41. Luke ix. 31. Acts xxii. 11. The words Lord and God are often used to denote greatness or intensity. Thus, trees of God mean great trees; hills of God, high or lofty hills, &c. So the glory of the Lord here means an exceedingly great or bright luminous appearance-perhaps not unlike what Paul saw on the way to Damascus. 8. The same country. Round about Bethlehem. ¶ Shepherds. Men who tended flocks of sheep. T Abiding in the field. Remaining out of doors, under the open sky, with their flocks. This was commonly done. The climate was mild; and, to keep their flocks 12. This shall be a sign &c. The from straying, they spent the night with evidence by which you shall know the them. It is also a fact that the Jews child is, that you will find him wrapped sent out their flocks into the mountain-in swaddling clothes, and lying in a ous and desert regions during the sum- manger. mer months, and took them up in the VOL. II. -3 14. Glory to God. Praise be to God to lay aside their differences, to love each other, to seek each other's welfare, and to banish envy, malice, pride, lust, passion, and covetousness-in all ages the most fruitful causes of difference among men. And 4th. By diffus. ing the principles of universal peace among nations. If the gospel of Jesus should universally prevail, there would be an end of war. In the days of the millennium there will be universal peace; all the causes of war will have ceased; men will love each other and do justly; and nations be brought under the influence of the gospel. O how should each one toil and pray that the great object of the gospel should be universally accomplished, and the world be filled with peace! ¶ Good will toward men. The gift of the Saviour is an expression of good will or love to men, and therefore God is to be praised The work of redemption is uniformly represented as the fruit of the love of God. John iii.16. Eph. v. 2. 1 John iv. 10. Rev. i. v. No words can express the greatness of that love. It car only be measured by the misery, help lessness, and danger of man; by the extent of his sufferings here and in the world of woe, if he had not been saved; by the condescension, sufferings, and death of Jesus; and by the eternal ho nor and happiness to which he will raise his people. All these are beyond our full comprehension. Yet how little does man feel it! And how many turn away from the highest love of God, and treat him with contempt! Surely, if God so loved us first, we ought also to love him. 1 John iv. 19. or, honor be to God. That is, the praise of redeeming man is due to God. The plan of redemption will bring glory to God, and is designed to express his glory. This it does by evincing his love to men, his mercy, his condescension, and his regard to the honor of his law, and the stability of his own government. It is the highest expression of his love and mercy. Nowhere, so far as we can see, could his glory be more strikingly exhibited than in giving his only-begotten Son to die for men. ¶ In the highest. This is capable of several meanings: 1st. In the highest strains, or in the highest possible manner. 2d. Among the highest;i. e., among the angels of God-indicating that they felt a deep interest in this work, and were called on to praise God for the redemption of man. 3d. In the highest heavens-indicating that the praise should not be confined to the earth, but should spread throughout the universe. 4th. The words " God in the highest" may be equivalent to the most high God, and be the same as saying Let the most high God be praised for his love and mercy to men.' Which of these meanings is the true one it is difficult to determine; but in this they all agree, that high praise is to be given to God for his love in redeeming men. O that not only angels but men would join universally in this song of praise! On earth peace. That is, the gospel shall bring peace. The Saviour was predicted as the Prince of peace. Isa. ix. 6. The world is at war with God; sinners are at enmity against their Maker, and against each other. There is no peace to the wicked. But Jesus 16. Unto Bethlehem. The city of came to make peace. And this he did, David, where the angel had told then 1st. By reconciling the world to God they would find the Saviour. These by his atonement. 2d. By bringing shepherds appear to have been pious the sinner to a state of peace with men. They were waiting for the comhis Make, inducing him to lay down ing of the Messiah. On the first inti. the weapons of rebellion; to submit mation that he had actually appeared his soul to God; thus giving him the they went with haste to find him. S peace which passeth all understand-all men should, without delay, seek the ing. 3d. By diffusing in the heart uni- Saviour. When told of him by the ser versal good will to men-disposing men vants of God, they should, like these and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. ned, 20 And the shepherds re glorifying and praising God or all 17 And when they had seen it, the things that they had heard and they made known abroad the say-seen, as it was told unto them. ing which was told them concern- 21 And when eight days were ing this child. accomplished for the circum.cising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 18 And all they that heard it, wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things ad pondered them in her heart. a Le.12.3. shepherds, forsake all, and give no rest to their eyes until they have found him. We may always find him. We need not to travel to Bethlehem. We have only to cast our eyes to heaven; to look unto him and to believe on him, and we shall find him ever near to us, and for ever our Saviour and friend. 17. When they had seen it. When they had satisfied themselves of the truth of the coming of the Messiah, and had ascertained that they could not have been mistaken in the appearance of the angels. There was evidence enough to satisfy them that what the angels said was true, or they would not have gone to Bethlehem. Having seen the child themselves, they had now evidence that would satisfy others. And accordingly they became the first preachers of the gospel, and went and proclaimed to others that the Messiah had come.One of the first duties of those who are newly converted to God, and a duty in which they delight, is to proclaim to others what they have seen and felt. It should be done in a proper way, and at the proper time; but nothing can or should prevent a Christian recently converted from telling his feelings and views to others to his friends, his parents, his brothers, and old companions. And it may be remarked that often more good may be done then, than during any other period of their life. Entreaties, then, make an impression; nor can a sinner well resist the appeals made to him by one who was just now with him in the way to ruin, but who now treads the way to heaven. 19. Mary kept all these things. All that happened, and all that was said respecting her child. She remembered what the angel had said to her; what nad happened to Elisabeth and to the b a 22 And when the days of her b Matt.1.21. c.1.31. c Le.12.2,&c. shepherds-all the extraordinary cir cumstances which had attended the birth of her son. Here is a delicate and beautiful expression of the feelings of a mother. A mother forgets none of those things which occur respecting her children. Every thing they do or suf. fer-every thing that is said of themis treasured up in her mind; and often, often, she thinks of those things, and anxiously seeks what they may indicate respecting the future character and welfare of her child. ¶ Pondered. Weighed. This is the original meaning of the word weighed. She kept them; she revolved them; she weighed them in her mind, giving to each circumstance its just importance, and anxiously seeking what it might indicate respecting her child. ¶ In her heart. In her mind. She thought of these things often and anxiously. 20. The shepherds returned. To their flocks. ¶ Glorifying, &c. Giving honor to God, and celebrating his praises. 21. Eight days, &c. This was the regular time for performing the rite of circumcision. Gen. xyii. 12. ¶ Called Jesus. See Note, Matt. i. 21. 22. Days of her purification. Among the Hebrews a mother was required to remain at home for about forty days after the birth of a male child, and eighty for a female; and during that time she was reckoned as impure-that is, she was not permitted to go to the temple, or to engage in religious services with the congregation. Lev. xii, 3, 4. ¶ To Jerusalem. The place where the temple was, and where the ordinances of religion were celebrated To present him to the Lord. Every first-born male child, among the Jews. was regarded as holy to the Lord. Ex xiii. 2. By their being holy unto the purification, according to the law | cording to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons. of Moses, were acccomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord. 23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every " male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord ;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice ac 25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Si. meon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. b Mar.15.43. ver.38. c Is.40.1 Lord was meant that unto them be- circumcised, since he had no sin; longed the office of priests. It was may be answered: 1st. That it was theirs to be set apart to the service of proper for them to fulfil all righteous God, to offer sacrifice, and to perform ness, and to show obedience to the law. the duties of religion. It is probable 2d. It was necessary for the future use. that at first the duties of religion de- fulness of Christ. Unless he had been volved on the father; and that, when circumcised, he could not have been he became infirm or died, the duty de- admitted to any synagogue, or to the volved on the eldest son. And it is temple. He would have had no acstill manifestly proper that where the cess to the people, and could not have father is infirm or has deccased, the duty been regarded as the Messiah. Both of conducting family worship should be he and Mary, therefore, yielded obeperformed by the eldest son. After-dience to the laws of the land, and thus wards God chose the tribe of Levi in the place of the eldest sons, to serve him in the sanctuary. Num. viii. 13-18. Yet still it was proper to present the child to God, and it was required that it should be done with an offering. set us an example that we should walk in their steps. Comp. Note on Matt. iii. 15. here related. He was an aged man, · of distinguished piety and reputation, and was anxiously expecting the coming of the Messiah. Such an old age is peculiarly honorable. No spectacle is more sublime than an old man, of piety and high character, looking for the appearing of the Lord, and patiently wait. ing for the time to come when he may be blessed with the sight of his Redeemer. ¶ Just. Righteous before God and man; approved by God as a righteous man, and discharging faithfully his duty to man. ¶ Devout. This word means a religious man, or a pious man. The original expresses the idea of good reputation, well received, or of high standing among the people. 25. Whose name was Simeon. Some have supposed that this Simeon was a son of the famous Hillel, a distin23. As it is written, &c. Ex. xiii. 2. guished teacher in Jerusalem, and Pre24. And to offer a sacrifice, &c. sident of the sanhedrim. But nothing Those who were able on such an occa-is certainly known of him but what is ion were required to offer a lamb for a burnt-offering, and a pigeon or a turtledove for a sin-offering. If not able to bring a lamb, then they were permmitted to bring two turtle-doves or two young pigeons. Turtle-doves. Doves distinguished for having a plaintive and tender voice. By Mary's offering these she showed her poverty. And our Saviour, by coming in a state of poverty, has shown that it is not dishonorable to be poor. No station is dishonorable where God places us. He knows what is best for us, and he often makes a state of poverty an occasion of the highest blessings. If with poverty he grants us, as is often the case, peace, cor.tentment, and religion, it is worth far more than all the jewels of Gol conda, or the gold of Mexico. If it be asked why, since Mary and the Saviour were pure from any moral defilement in his conception and birth, it was necessary to offer such a sacrifice; why was it necessary that Jesus should be Waiting for the consolation of Israel. That is, waiting for the Messiah, who is called the consolation of Israel be. cause he would give comfort to them by his appearing. This name was often applied to the Messiah before he ac tually appeared. It was common te |