65
really correct There is do certain proof tbat the expression means anytning more than that he was "laid in the stable, because there was no room in the house." Some think that this manger was one of those hair cloths, out of which horses, in those countries, are fed. There is strong reason for supposing that the whole transaction took place in a cave, such as many which are to be found in Judsea.
[Np room in the Inn.] One fact should be carefully noted here, which is often entirely overlooked. In the providence of God the birth of Christ was attended with as much publicity as a birth could possibly be attended with. It took place at an inn, and an inn crowded with strangers from all parts. Impos- ture was thus rendered impossible. The event was patent to many witnesses, and could never be denied. The Son of God was really incarnate, and literally and really bom of a woman, like any of ourselves. Had the birth taken place quietly at Naza- reth, or in some private house at Bethlehem, in thirty years time the whole event would probably have been denied.
LTJKE n. B— 20.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
' 9 Aiid, 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.
11 For unto 3rou is bom 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 man- ger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and sabring,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and
on earth peace, good will toward men. Id And it came to pass, as the an- gels 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 tiie Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the bab« lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen tY, they made known abroaa the saying whicn was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it won- dered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the thin^ that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
We read, in these verses, how the birth of the Lord Jesus was first announced to the children of men. The birth of a king's son is generally made an occasion of
56 EXFOSJTOEY THOrOHTS.
public reyelling and rejoioing. The announoemeni of the birth of the Prince of Peace was made priyately, at midnight, and without anything of worldly pomp and ostentation.
Let us mark frAo they were to whom the tidings first came that Christ was bom. They were "shep- herds abiding in the field near Bethlehem, keeping watdi over their flocks by night/' To shepherds — ^not to priests and rulers, — ^to shepherds — ^not to Scribes' and Pharisees, an angel speared, proclaiming, ''unto you is bom this day a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
The saying of St. James should come into our mind, as we read these words : ''Hath not Ood chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he hath promised to them that love him." (James ii. 5.) The want of money debars no one from spiritual privileges. The things of God's kingdom are often hid from the great and noble, and revealed to the poor. The busy labour of the hands need not prevent a man being favoured with special commimion with God. Moses was keeping sheep, — Gideon was threshing wheat, — ^Elisha was ploughing, when they were severally honoured by direct calls and revelations from God. Let us resist th^ suggestion of Satan, that religion is not for the working man. The weak of the world are often called before the mighty. The last are often first, and the first last.
I^et us mark, secondly, the language used hy the angel in announcing Christ's birth to the shepherds. He said, "I bring you good tidmgs of gifeat joy» which shall be to all people,"
We need not wc^ider at these words. The spiritual
iW^^^"»""^HW^»«"'^^""'WPi"»^^"-'^^— 1^