host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.-Luke ii. 8-14.

V. Christ at twelve years old.

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 after 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.†

*The Jewish feast, which celebrated the angel's passing over the children of Israel when he destroyed the firstborn of the Egyptians. See Exod. xii

The Jews went to and from Jerusalem in great parties, so that Jesus might not at once be missed

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.-Luke ii. 41-48.

* Disciples or scholars in the east sit at the feet of their teachers.

VI. Christ found by his mother and Joseph in the temple-his filial obedience.

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? wist* ye not that I must be about my Father's business ?+ And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went

* Knew. +"Knew ye not that I must be at my Father's?"-Campbell. The Syriac renders it," My Father's house."

down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject 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.-Luke ii. 48–52.

VII.

Christ sets a little child in the midst of his disciples, to teach them humility, and to show his love to children.

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?* And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children,† ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of

*The kingdom Christ was about to establish on earth. As free from worldly ambition as children.

heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.*-Matt. xviii. 1-6.

*Anciently criminals were thus put to death.

VIII. Christ's love to his young and meek disciples.

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels* do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is

*See Psa. xxxiv. 7; Heb. i. 14.

gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I he re

say unto you,

joiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.-Matt. xviii. 10-14.

IX. The rich young man who came to Christ.

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good ?* there is none good but one, that is God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

*The young man deemed Christ to be merely a man or a prophet, and therefore was thus reproved.