them. And in this way all things are blessed that lead us to think of Him, who " grew up at Nazareth, a Child among children, obedient to His parents; and though His mother pondered many things of Him in her heart, other men saw in Him no more than the aspect and the actings of a Child. Many an eye beheld Him then which shall behold Him no more. Many gazed on Him, as we gaze on a thoughtful child, and beheld no gleaming rays of the mystery which lay hid within; but from day to day, and year to year, "the Child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him." And is He not the example unto all Christian children, how they who have been planted in the Courts of the Lord by baptism, should grow up before Him in holiness and righteousness, Nazarites unto God, separated from all, that they may be for the service of all; in the world, but not of the world; obeying that word, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord; and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." God forbid, indeed, that we should separate ourselves from any in the spirit of the Pharisee, saying, "Stand by, for I am holier than thou;" but if we are learning of the holy, harmless, undefiled Lamb of God, we shall be meek and lowly in heart, bringing forth fruits meet for repentance, and loving, (as an apostle calls upon his little children to love,) not in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth; ready to lay

down our life also for the brethren. And this is not a word which they only who are called to actual martyrdom can fulfil. There is a daily laying down of life in the daily denial of ourselves to which all are called; and the little child who turns from her own pursuits with loving zeal to wait upon the sick, to rub the aching limbs, to shake up the pillow for the weary head, to minister food, or medicine, or refreshment, or to read to them the holy words of truth, or any of the thousand services of love which even a little child can render, for her Lord and Saviour's sake, is learning this holy lesson, and training up to glorify His name, by a martyr's self-denying life, if not by a martyr's death. And when at the last it shall be said of such an one, "She hath done what she could," how will the unutterable gladdening overpay the unprofitable service! God grant us grace thus to grow up in this world, stainless and harmless as the lily among thorns; and so shall our mother, the Church, have joy over us, like the joy of the blessed Virgin over the Child Jesus,—

A Son that never did amiss,

That never sham'd His mother's kiss,

Nor cross'd her fondest prayer.

THE HOLY FAMILY.

Joseph, Mary, bright the glory
Round your names in sacred story,
To whose care committed,

Blessed Jesus, undefil'd,

Humbled to a little Child,

Joyfully submitted.

With what rapture would ye gaze
On His holy harmless ways,

Full of infant gladness!

Lightening all the world's annoy,
Brightening every household joy,
Chasing all of sadness!

What high thoughts within you stirr'd
At the lispings of the Word,

Of His Father telling!

Gladly, when your work was done,

Listeners to the Eternal Son,

Inmate of your dwelling.

Was it not strange bliss to hold Him,
To your yearning hearts to fold Him,
Humblest love outpouring?
In your meekness brought so near,
Taught His weakness to revere,
Lowlily adoring.

Did ye marvel morn and even,
When the Well-beloved of Heaven
Knelt for parents' blessing;

Shrinking from your calling high,

Shamed by His humility,

Soothed by His caressing?

Were ye fain to answer,

"We

Need a blessing, Son, from Thee,

Though such name allowing !"

Child of gladness, yet of awe,
Such as parents never saw

In their presence bowing.

Babe-like, child-like, yet Divine,
How did He your hearts incline,

Bending fondly o'er Him!

Taught, yet teaching, to obey;
Led, yet leading, in the way

None might tread before Him.

Pattern of all filial duty;

Perfect in His holy beauty,

Yet to sight unfolding;

Growing up a thornless flower,

Lily of your lowly bower,

Fair in God's beholding.

Never Child like this had birth

From the nobles of the earth,

Son of God's bestowing;

Skill'd His high descent to prove

By the royalty of love,

Lowliest pattern shewing.

What to Him were halls of state,-
All the world counts rich and great,
To her favourites given?

In the light around Him beaming,
Earthly splendour lost its seeming,—
He had come from Heaven.

XIII.

The Visit to Jerusalem.

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.

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.

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 sor. rowing.

And He said unto them, How is it that ye sought Me? be about My Father's business? And they understood not the unto them.

Wist ye not that I must

saying which He spake

And He went 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.

St. Luke ii. 41st verse to the end.