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rewarded the faith of the poor and humble of heart, who did not hesitate to believe the words of His Angels; and He granted to them the privilege of being the first to behold the Saviour of the world.

5. The poor and lowly should recollect that theirs is the station which the Child Jesus chose in preference to all others, and, for His sake, should try to esteem it, and to bear its privations with patience at least, if not with joy.

6. The Church celebrates every year, on Christmas Day, the Festival of the NATIVITY, or Birth of our Divine Lord.

QUESTIONS.

1. In what words did the Angel announce to the shepherds the birth of our Divine Lord ? 2. What Canticle was sung by the Angels ? 3. What did the shepherds do when the Angels left them?

4. Why was the birth of our Saviour announced, in the first instance, to the poor? 5. What should be the great consolation of those who endure the ills of poverty?

6. What Festival do we celebrate every year in honour of the birth of Christ?

"A Child is born to us, and a Son is given › us—and His name shall be called WONDERFUL, SELLOR-GOD THE MIGHTY-the FATHER OF RLD TO COME-THE PRINCE OF PEACE."

ix. 6.

"And they shall turn their swords into plough-shares, and their spears into sickles. "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation."-Isaiah ii. 4.

LESSON VII.

THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD IN THE
TEMPLE.

1. It was customary amongst the Jews to name their children eight days after their birth. On the eighth day, therefore, after His Nativity, the Son of Mary was called JESUS, that is to say, Saviour, as had been announced by the Angel before His birth; and this Festival is celebrated with us on the first day of January, or New Year's Day.

On the fortieth day after His Nativity, He was carried to the Temple, to be offered to the Lord, as the Law of Moses prescribed.

Mary, who, as the Mother of God, might have considered herself exempted from such observances, obeyed the precept of the law with the most perfect humility. How deep must have been her respect, and how great her gratitude, as she entered the Temple of God, bearing in her arms the Divine Infant who was to be offered within those sacred walls to His Heavenly Father!

Mary did not neglect the offering ordained by the Law, but brought to the priests the gift

Her

of the poor-a pair of turtle-doves. poverty did not admit of her offering a lamb, as was usual with those of a wealthier class, but her gift, trifling as it was, was presented with that good-will which renders the smallest sacrifice acceptable to God.

2. The people, and even the priests, who were present when Joseph and Mary carried the Child Jesus into the Temple, saw Him without suspecting that this Infant, whom they scarcely noticed, was the long-promised Messiah. Their hearts were not sufficiently pure to be enlightened by Divine Grace. It pleased God to make Him known to very few amongst the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

3. There was, in that city, a venerable old man, named Simeon, who had led a virtuous life, and whose only aim was to please and serve God. He lived in the expectation of Him who was to be the salvation of Israel, and the Redeemer of mankind.

The Holy Ghost, who dwelt in his pure heart, had revealed to him that he should not die until he had seen the Messiah, and every day, he prayed that the promise might be accomplished.

Joseph and Mary were still in the Temple with the Divine Child, when Simeon came thither, led by the Holy Spirit. As soon as he perceived the Infant, he recognized in Him the long-promised and ardently desired Saviour.

He took Him in his arms, and, in a transport

of holy joy, exclaimed, with eyes uplifted to heaven

"Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word, in peace;

"Because my eyes have seen Thy salvation,

"Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people:

"A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel."

This Canticle, called the Nunc Dimittis, or Song of Simeon, is recited in the office of the Church, after Complin.

The old man then turned to Mary, and looking on her with mingled joy and sadness, said, "This Child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted.

"And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed."

4. These words signified that, of those who should afterwards hear the doctrine of Christ, many, following the Divine inspirations, would serve and love Him; whilst others, again, hardening their hearts, and refusing to be converted, would hate Him, and despise His words.

5. By the concluding sentence, Simeon prophesied to Mary the grief she should feel at witnessing the sufferings of her Son in His Passion.

6. Whilst Simeon was still speaking, he was joined by a holy widow named Ânna.

She wa

very aged, and her husband having died seven years after their marriage, she had remained a widow until the age of eighty-four, serving God day and night, in prayer and fasting.

God had ordained that, before her death, she also should have the consolation of beholding the Expectation of Nations. She joined Simeon in praising the Lord, and spoke of the Holy Infant to those who, like herself, expected the redemption of Israel.

7. God loves to manifest Himself to those who, like Simeon and Anna, seek Him with upright hearts.

8. The Festival of the Presentation in the Temple is celebrated on the Day of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin.

It is sometimes called Candlemas Day, as the faithful, on that Feast, bear lighted candles in their hands during the Procession, in honour of our Saviour, who was the Light of the world, having first appeared in the Temple on that day.

QUESTIONS.

1. How did Mary give us an example of obedience to the Law of God?

2. Why did not the priests and people recognize the Divine Child?

3. What were Simeon's words?

4. What did he mean by saying that our Lord would be a cause of contradiction?

5. What did he foretel by the words, "Thy own soul a sword shall pierce ?”

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