14. Glory to God. Praise be to God; or, honor be to God. That is, the praise of the redemption of man is due to God. The plan of redemption will bring glory to God, and is designed to express his glory. This it does by evincing his love to men, his mercy, his condescension, and his regard to the honor of his law, and the stability of his own government. It is the highest expression of his love and mercy. Nowhere, so far as we can see, could his glory be more strikingly exhibited than in giving his only-begotten Son to die for men. In the highest. This is capable of several meanings: 1st. In the highest strains, or in the highest possible manner. 2d. Among the highest -i. e., among the angels of God-indicating that they felt a deep interest in this work, and were called on to praise God for the redemption of man. 3d. In the highest heavens, indicating that the praise should not be confined to the earth, but should spread throughout the universe. 4th. The words "God in the highest may be equivalent to the most high God, and be the same as saying "Let the most high God be praised for his love and mercy to men. Which of these meanings is the true one it is difficult to determine; but in this they all agree, that high praise is to be given to God for his love in redeeming men. O that not only angels but men would join universally in this song of praise! On earth peace. That is, the gospel shall bring peace. The Saviour was predicted as the Prince of peace. Isa. ix. 6. The world is at war with God; sinners are at enmity against their Maker, and against each other. There is no peace to the wicked. But Jesus came to make peace. And this he did, 1st. By reconciling the world to God by his atonement. 2d. By bringing the sinner to a state of peace with his Maker, inducing him to lay down the weapons of rebellion, to submit his soul

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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.

1 The men, the shepherds.

to God, and thus giving him the peace which passeth all understanding. 3d. By diffusing in the heart universal good will to men-disposing men to lay aside their differences, to love each other, to seek each other's welfare, and to banish envy, malice, pride, lust, passion, and covetousness-in all ages the most fruitful causes of difference among men. And 4th. By diffusing the principles of universal peace among nations. If the gospel of Jesus should universally prevail, there would be an end of war. In the days of the millennium there will be universal peace; all the causes of war will have ceased; men will love each other and do justly; and nations be brought under the influence of the gospel. O how should each one toil and pray that the great object of the gospel should be universally accomplished, and the world be filled with peace! T Good will toward men. The gift of the Saviour is an expression of good will or love to men, and therefore God is to be praised. The work of redemption is uniformly represented as the fruit of the love of God. John iii 6. Eph. v. 2. 1 John iv. 10. Rev. i. v. No words can express the greatness of that love. It can only be measured by the misery, helplessness, and danger of man; by the extent of his sufferings here and in the world of woe, if he had not been saved; by the condescension, sufferings, and death of Jesus; and by the eternal honor and happiness to which he will raise his people. All these are beyond our full comprehension. Yet how little does man feel it! and how many turn away from the highest love of God, and treat him with contempt! Surely, if God so loved us first, we ought also to love him. 1 John iv. 19.

16. Unto Bethlehem. The city of David, where the angel had told them they would find the Saviour. These shepherds appear to have been pious men.

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

us,

a Le.12.3.

They were waiting for the coming of the Messiah. On the first intimation that he had actually appeared, they went with haste to find him. So all men should, without delay, seek the Saviour. When told of him by the servants of God, they should, like these shepherds, forsake all, and give no rest to their eyes until they have found him. We may always find him. We need not to travel to Bethlehem. We have only to cast our eyes to heaven, to look unto him, to believe on him, and we shall find him ever near to and forever our Saviour and friend. 17. When they had seen it. When they had satisfied themselves of the truth of the coming of the Messiah, and had ascertained that they could not have been mistaken in the appearance of the angels. There was evidence enough to satisfy them that what the angels said was true, or they would not have gone to Bethlehem. Having seen the child themselves, they had now evidence that would satisfy others. And accordingly they became the first preachers of the gospel, and went and proclaimed to others that the Messiah had come. One of the first duties of those who are newly converted to God, and a duty in which they delight, is to proclaim to others what they have seen and felt. It should be done in a proper way, and at the proper time; but nothing can or should prevent a Christian recently converted from telling his feelings and views to others to his friends, his parents, his brothers, and old companions. And it may be remarked that often more good may be done then, than during any other period of their life. Entreaties, then, make an impression; nor can a sinner well resist the appeals made to him by one who was just now with him in the way to ruin, but who now treads the way to heaven.

19, Mary kept all these things. All that happened, and all that was said respecting her child. She remembered what the angel had said to her, what had happened to Elisabeth and to the shepherds-all the extraordinary circumstances which had attended the birth of her son. Here is a delicate and beautiful expression of the feelings of a mother. A mother forgets none of those things which occur respecting her beloved children. Every thing they do or suffer--every thing that is said of them-is treasured up in her mind; and often, often, she thinks of them, and anxiously seeks what they may indicate respecting the future character and welfare of her child. ¶ Pondered. Weighed. This is the original meaning of the word weighed. She kept them; she revolved them; she weighed them in her mind, giving to each circumstance its just importance, and anxiously seeking what it might indicate respecung her child. In her heart. In her mind. She thought of these things often and anxiously.

20. The shepherds returned. To: their flocks. ¶ Glorifying, &c. Giv-` ing honor to God, and celebrating his praises.

21. Eight days, &c. This was the regular time for performing the rite of circumcision. Gen. xvii. 12. Jesus. See note, Mat. i. 21.

T Called

22. Days of her purification. Among the Hebrews a mother was required to remain at home for about forty days after the birth of a male child, and eighty for a female; and during that time she was reckoned impure-that is, she was not permitted to go to the temple, or to congage in religious services with the con gregation. Lev. xii. 3, 4. salem. The place where the temple was, and the ordinances of religion were cele

T To Jeru

to men,

b Is.57.19.

|

14. Glory to God. Praise be to God; or, honor be to God. That is, the praise of the redemption of man is due to God. The plan of redemption will bring glory to God, and is designed to express his glory. This it does by evincing his love his mercy, his condescension, and his regard to the honor of his law, and the stability of his own government. It is the highest expression of his love and mercy. Nowhere, so far as we can see, could his glory be more strikingly exhibited than in giving his only-begotten Son to die for men. In the highest. This is capable of several meanings: 1st. In the highest strains, or in the highest possible manner. 2d. Among the highest -i. e., among the angels of God-indicating that they felt a deep interest in this work, and were called on to praise God for the redemption of man. 3d. In the highest heavens, indicating that the praise should not be confined to the earth, but should spread throughout the universe. 4th. The words "God in the highest " may be equivalent to the most high God, and be the same as saying "Let the most high God be praised for his love and mercy to men.' Which of these meanings is the true one it is difficult to determine; but in this they all agree, that high praise is to be given to God for his love in redeeming men. O that not only angels but men would join universally in this song of praise! On earth peace. That is, the gospel shall bring peace. The Saviour was predicted as the Prince of peace. Isa. ix. 6. The world is at war with God; sinners are at enmity against their Maker, and against each other. There is no peace to the wicked. But Jesus came to make peace. And this he did, 1st. By reconciling the world to God by his atonement. 2d. By bringing the sinner to a state of peace with his Maker, inducing him to lay down the weapons of rebellion, to submit his soul

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.

1 The men, the shepherds.

to God, and thus giving him the peace which passeth all understanding. 3d. By diffusing in the heart universal good will to men-disposing men to lay aside their differences, to love each other, to seek each other's welfare, and to banish envy, malice, pride, lust, passion, and covetousness-in all ages the most fruitful causes of difference among men. And 4th. By diffusing the principles of universal peace among nations. If the gospel of Jesus should universally prevail, there would be an end of war. In the days of the millennium there will be universal peace; all the causes of war will have ceased; men will love each other and do justly; and nations be brought under the influence of the gospel. O how should each one toil and pray that the great object of the gospel should be universally accomplished, and the world be filled with peace! T Good will toward men. The gift of the Saviour is an expression of good will or love to men, and therefore God is to be praised. The work of redemption is uniformly represented as the fruit of the love of God. John iii 6. Eph. v. 2. 1 John iv. 10. Rev. i. v. No words can express the greatness of that love. It can only be measured by the misery, helplessness, and danger of man; by the extent of his sufferings here and in the world of woe, if he had not been saved; by the condescension, sufferings, and death of Jesus; and by the eternal honor and happiness to which he will raise his people. All these are beyond our full comprehension. Yet how little does man feel it! and bow many turn away from the highest love of God, and treat him with contempt! Surely, if God so loved us first, we ought also to love him. 1 John iv. 19.

16. Unto Bethlehem. The city of David, where the angel had told them they would find the Saviour. These shepherds appear to have been pious men.

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

a Le.12.3.

They were waiting for the coming of the Messiah. On the first intimation that he had actually appeared, they went with haste to find him. So all men should, without delay, seek the Saviour. When told of him by the servants of God, they should, like these shepherds, forsake all, and give no rest to their eyes until they have found him. We may always find him. We need not to travel to Bethlehem. We have only to cast our eyes to heaven, to look unto him, to believe on him, and we shall find him ever near to us, and forever our Saviour and friend.

17. When they had seen it. When they had satisfied themselves of the truth of the coming of the Messiah, and had ascertained that they could not have been mistaken in the appearance of the angels. There was evidence enough to satisfy them that what the angels said was true, or they would not have gone to Bethlehem. Having seen the child themselves, they had now evidence that would satisfy others. And accordingly they became the first preachers of the gospel, and went and proclaimed to others that the Messiah had come. One of the first duties of those who are newly converted to God, and a duty in which they delight, is to proclaim to others what they have seen and felt. It should be done in a proper way, and at the proper time; but nothing can or should prevent a Christian recently converted from telling his feelings and views to others to his friends, his parents, his brothers, and old companions. And it may be remarked that often more good may be done then, than during any other period of their life. Entreaties, then, make an impression; nor can a sinner well resist the appeals made to him by one who was just now with him in the way to ruin, but who now treads the way to heaven.

19, Mary kept all these things. All that happened, and all that was said respecting her child. She remembered what the angel had said to her, what had happened to Elisabeth and to the shepherds-all the extraordinary circumstances which had attended the birth of her son. Here is a delicate and beautiful expression of the feelings of a mother. A mother forgets none of those things which occur respecting her beloved children. Every thing they do or suffer--every thing that is said of them-is treasured up in her mind; and often, often, she thinks of them, and anxiously seeks what they may indicate respecting the future character and welfare of her child. ¶ Pondered. Weighed. This is the original meaning of the word weighed. She kept them; she revolved them; she weighed them in her mind, giving to each circumstance its just importance, and anxiously seeking what it might indicate respecung her child. In her heart. In her mind. She thought of these things often and anxiously.

To

20. The shepherds returned. their flocks. T Glorifying, &c. Giv-" ing honor to God, and celebrating his praises.

21. Eight days, &c. This was the regular time for performing the rite of circumcision. Gen. xvii. 12. ¶ Called Jesus. See note, Mat. i. 21.

22. Days of her purification. Among the Hebrews a mother was required to remain at home for about forty days after the birth of a male child, and eighty for a female; and during that time she was reckoned impure-that is, she was not permitted to go to the temple, or to engage in religious services with the congregation. Lev. xii. 3, 4. ¶ To Jerusalem. The place where the temple was, and the ordinances of religion were cele

23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every " male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord ;)

prated.

a Ex.13.12.22.29. Nu.8.17.

To present him to the Lord. Every first-born male child, among the Jews, was regarded as holy to the Lord. Ex. xiii. 2. By their being holy unto the Lord was meant that unto them belonged the office of priests. It was theirs to be set apart to the service of God, to offer sacrifice, and to perform the duties of religion. It is probable that at first the duties of religion devolved on the father; and that, when he became infirm or died, the duty devolved on the eldest son. And it is still manifestly proper that where the father is infirm or has deceased, the duty of conducting family worship should be performed by the eldest son. Afterwards God chose the tribe of Levi in the place of the eldest son, to serve him in the sanctuary. Numb. viii. 13-18. Yet still it was proper to present the child to God, and it was required that it should be done with an offering.

23. As it is written, &c. Ex. xiii. 2. 24. And to offer a sacrifice, &c. Those who were able on such an occasion were required to offer a lamb for a burntoffering, and a pigeon or a turtle-dove for a sin-offering. If not able to bring a lamb, then they were permitted to bring two turtle-doves or two young pigeons. Turtle-doves. Doves distinguished for having a plaintive and tender voice. By Mary's offering these she showed her poverty. And our Saviour, by coming in a state of poverty, has shown that it is not dishonorable to be poor. No station is dishonorable where God places us. He knows what is best for us, and he often makes a state of poverty an occasion of the highest blessings. If with poverty he grants us, as is often the case, peace, contentment, and religion, it is worth far more than all the jewels of Golconda, or the gold of Peru. If it be asked why, since Mary and the Saviour were pure from any moral defilement in his conception and birth, it was necessary to offer such a sacrifice; why was it necessary that Jesus should be circumcised, since

he had no sin; may be answered: 1st That it was proper for them to fulfil all righteousness, and to show obedience to the law. 2d. It was necessary for the future usefulness of Christ. Unless he had been circumcised, he could not have been admitted to any synagogue, or to the temple. He would have had no access to the people, and could not have been regarded as the Messiah. Both he and Mary, therefore, yielded obedience to the laws of the land, and thus set us an example that we should walk in their steps.

25. Whose name was Simeon. Some have supposed that this Simeon was a son of the famous Hillel, a distinguished teacher in Jerusalem, and President of the sanhedrim. But nothing is certainly known of him but what is here related. He was an aged man, of distinguished piety and reputation, and was anxiously expecting the coming of the Messiah. Such an old age is peculiarly honorable. No spectacle is more sublime than an old man, of piety and high character, locking for the appearing of the Lord, and patiently waiting for the time to come when he may be blessed with the sight of his Redeemer. T Just. Righteous before God and man; approved by God as a righteous man, and discharging faithfully his duty to man. T Devout. This word means a religious man, or a pious man. The original expresses the idea of good reputation, well received, or of high standing among the people. Waiting for the consolation of Israel. That is, waiting for the Messiah, who is called the consolation of Israel because he would give comfort to them by his appearing.

This name was often applied to the Messiah before he actually appeared. It was common to swear, also, by "the consolation of Israel”—that is, by the Mes siah about to come. See Lightfoot on this place. ¶ The Holy Ghost, &c. He was a holy man, and was divinely inspired respecting the Messiah about to appear