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CHRISTMAS DAY.

SERMON VII.

THE WISE MEN CONDUCTED TO CHRIST.

MATT. ii. 1, 2.

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men 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."

THE words of the heavenly messenger, declaring to the shepherds the birth of Jesus, announced it as a cause of joy not only to the Jewish nation, but "to all people." Hitherto the worship of the true God, and the practice of pure religion, had been confined to the country of the Jews. The fulness of time, long before anticipated in the glowing language of the prophets, had now arrived, when "they should become a people who were not a people;" when the Gentiles should no longer be "aliens

from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world."

The first sign of this was given to certain WISE MEN residing to the east of Judea. A star, or meteor, excited their attention; and they were made to understand by some convincing intimation, that this was the fulfilment of an ancient prophecy, which had declared that "a star should come out of Jacob, and a sceptre rise out of Israel." So they journeyed from their own country to Jerusalem; and on coming thither, inquired, 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.

Jesus, however, had not been born in Jerusalem, but about eight miles distant, at the small town of Bethlehem. The news of his birth had been carried to shepherds, who were abiding in the neighbouring fields; but it had not yet reached the city and its busy inhabitants. However, the inquiry of these strangers seems to have excited some sensation there; for it came to the ears of the governor and principal people. When Herod the king heard Eph. ii. 12.

2 Numbers xxiv. 17.

these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Herod was alarmed, lest his power should be shaken; and the rest of the people, probably, lest through fear of this he should oppress them more heavily than usual. Το obtain some insight into a matter which, as he supposed, so nearly concerned him, he gathered the chief priests and scribes of the people together, those who were best acquainted with their history and the prophecies, and demanded of them where this object of general expectation, Messias who is called Christ, should be born.3 These readily informed him that the prophets had pointed out Bethlehem as the place out of which this Governor of Israel should come. Herod, therefore, directed the wise men to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. He spoke these "words of peace, having war in his heart :" and thus early justified the prediction, "the kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his anointed. He that sitteth in

3 See John iv. 25.

heaven shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision." His wisdom frustrated the subtle design, and provided that Herod should not receive the information which he had so craftily endeavoured to obtain.5

These strangers, having heard the king, departed; and lo, the star 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 again, which had disappeared for a time, but now that it was needed, became visible as before, 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: the homage paid to kings by the custom of those times. Probably they knew not the real majesty of him whom they had thus diligently sought, and whom, now that they had found him, they so devoutly honoured. But by conducting these heathens in a miraculous manner to the place of our Lord's nativity, God revealed the dignity of the child now born into the world,

and fulfilled the ancient prophecy, "In him shall the Gentiles trust."

And now, my brethren, from this history, let me draw forth some instruction which may be useful to ourselves, and suitable to the occasion which assembles us together. There are three points particularly to be observed.

First, the attention which these men paid to the heavenly notice.

Secondly, the manner in which they were guided on their way.

And thirdly, their conduct when they had discovered him whom they were seeking.

I. Consider then, first, their attention to the star which was designed to direct them.

An intimation which they understood to be from heaven was conveyed to them, importing that some extraordinary event had taken place, which greatly concerned themselves and the rest of mankind. They did not shut their eyes against the light thus dawning upon them. Probably, like St. Paul, they "consulted not with flesh and blood," hearkened neither to the indolent suggestions of their own hearts, nor to