Did Cæsar Augustus intend, by taxing the people of Israel, to fulfil this prophecy? For whose sake did Christ come into the world? 8. Who were in the same country? What are shepherds? What were they doing? 9. Who came upon them? What shone around them? What is meant here by "the glory of the Lord”? 10. What did the angel say to them? Why should the good tidings of the angel produce great joy? To whom would the tidings bring great -joy? Has this yet been fulfilled? How is it to be done? 11. What more did the angel say? What is a Saviour"? What is the meaning of the name "Christ”? Why was Jesus so called? Why is he called "the Lord"? 12. How were the shepherds to know him? 13. Who appeared suddenly with the angel? Who are the "heavenly host"? What did they do? 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch 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. 11 For unto you 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. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14. What did they say? Why did they say "glory to God in the highest"? How did the birth of Christ bring glory to God? How does the gospel produce peace on earth? How does the birth of Christ show the good will of God towards men? How are all these blessings owing to Christ? 15. Where did the angels go? What did the shepherds then say to one another? What were they going for? 16. How did the shepherds come? Whom did they find? 17. When they had seen them, what did they do? What saying did they make known? 18. How did those who heard it feel? Why did they wonder? Did the Jews expect that their Messiah was to come in this way? 19. What did Mary do? What is meant by her "pondering them in her heart”? 20. What did the shepherds do? 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels 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 the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 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, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. For what did they praise and glorify God? If these shepherds were so thankful for the birth of Christ, how ought those to feel who know his whole life and have all his instructions? What is the duty of every one who hears of the love of Christ? LESSON VI. Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. WHERE was Jesus born? How came he to be born in Bethlehem? 21. When was his name given to him? By whom was he named? 22. Where did they bring the child? For what purpose? 23. Did Joseph and Mary do this in obedience to the requirements in the law of the Lord? 24. What was Mary to offer? What was this sacrifice? 25. What man is spoken of in this verse? 21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 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; 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 according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was What was his character? What is it to be “just”? What is it to be "devout"? For what was he waiting? Who is meant by the "consolation of Israel"? What reason had he to expect his coming then? him? What was upon What does that mean? 26. What had been revealed to him? How had this been revealed? What is meant by " revealed"? Why is Jesus called "the Lord Christ”? In what manner did God, in old times, reveal himself to his people? Have we any right to expect such things in these days? How does God now make known his will to us? 27. What brought him into the temple? Who came in while he was there? 28. What did Simeon do? What happened then? 29. What did he say? What did he mean by "departing"? 30. Why was he now willing to die? Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord Christ. 27 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, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31. Before whom was this salvation prepared? How was it prepared "before the face of all people"? 32. Whom was Christ to lighten? Who were the Gentiles? How was Christ to lighten them? In what manner has this light been spread? By what means is that light now spreading? How was Christ sent for this purpose? How was he "a sign" to be "spoken" against? Why did the people of the world speak against Christ and persecute him? 35. What did Simeon say to Mary about. herself? To what does that allude? What were to be revealed? How does the conduct of men towards Christ re.veal the true state of their hearts? 36. Who is mentioned in this verse? What is said about Anna's age? What is a prophetess? 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary, his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. 38 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel |