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SECTION XI.

The Circumcision.

LUKE ii. 21.

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, who was so named by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

SECTION XII.

The Purification-Presentation of Christ in the Temple, where he is acknowledged by Simeon and Anna.

LUKE ii. 22-40.

And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord; (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn, if a male, shall be regarded as consecrated 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; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Messiah, even Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then he took him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken concerning him.

And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is appointed to be the humiliation and rising again of many in Israel; and for

a sign which shall be spoken against, that the thoughts of many hearts may be enlightened; yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, who departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

SECTION XIII.

The Visit of the Magians of the East.

MATT. ii. 1-13.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came Magians 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 the Messiah or 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 prefectures of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the Magians, enquired of them strictly 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

*"His star in the east." Perhaps his starry appearance, or meteor. To worship, in this and other places, signifies to homagize, or honour.

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, or meteor, 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.

SECTION XIV.

The Flight into Egypt.

MATT. ii. 13-16.

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: and was there until the death of Herod: so that it was fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

SECTION XV.

Slaughter of the Children at Bethlehem.

MATT. ii. 16-19.

Then Herod, when he saw that he was baffled by the Magians, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from those entering their second year and under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the Magians. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In

Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning. Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

SECTION XVI.

Joseph returns from Egypt to Nazareth.

MATT. ii. 19, to the end. LUKE ii. 40.

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose. and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither notwithstanding, being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: so that it was fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarite, or Nazaræan.*

*He shall be called a Nazarite, or Nazaraan. The term in the Greek is always translated Nazarite in the Old Testament. It is to be distinguished from a Nazarene, or an inhabitant of Nazareth, which our Lord was likewise called on other occasions. The word Nazarite generally signifies a devotee, consecrated to God, holy, harmless, separate from sinners. The other meanings of this word are secondary and derivative. The prophecy mentioned seems to have been immediately applied to Samson, who, as the deliverer of Israel, was a type of Christ. It appears that the Nazarites (from whom the name of Nazareth may have first originated) abounded in Palestine as sacred devoteés, also known as Essenes and Therapeutists. These pietists, or devout persons, formed a class, noticed by Philo, and Josephus, very different from Pharisees or Sadducees. The Nazarites were divided into strict ascetics, like John the Baptist, and more liberal or moderate ascetics, like Christ. The Nazarite vows of some were permanent, of others occasional. It is probable that multitudes of Nazarites under the name of Essenes embraced the doctrines of John the Baptist. Their very name may have signified the men or disciples of John (Aish-Ioanes). Afterwards they generally became Christians,

LUKE ii. 40.

And the child grew, and became strong in the Spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

SECTION XVII.

Jesus in the Temple at the age of Twelve Years.

LUKE ii. 41, to the end.

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me ? knew ye not that I must be in my Father's house? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was obedient unto them but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

who were and are called Nazaræans all over the East. See Jones's Ecclesiastical Researches-Eusebius - and Adam Clarke's Note in loco, which contains these words:-"As the Nazarite was the most pure and perfect institution under the law, it is possible that God intended to point out by it not only the perfection of our Lord, but also the purity of his followers."

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