raculous birth of our blessed Saviour, who, holy, harmless, and undefiled, descended from heaven, to dispel that moral darkness by which the heart of man had long been surrounded and debased. Nor are the creation of the world, and the salvation of the world, to be separated. The work of creation was typical of the work of grace. Did we limit our view to the former subject alone, we might indeed consider God as a mighty sovereign, enthroned amidst angels and blessed spirits, ever ready to obey his will, but whose government conducted by general laws, did not superintend or minutely interfere with the peculiar circumstances of the human race, whilst the latter, comprehending the Advent, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus, witnesseth, that although Jehovah be indeed surrounded by cherubim and seraphim, who continually do praise him, he has evinced the most affectionate sympathy for our fallen and rebellious race; and, with the feelings of a gracious parent, hath called upon us to return and live, and hath declared that in our death he hath no pleasure. At first creation, when the voice of angels joined in the hymn of the world's existence, as the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy, that exalted song was lost amid the praises of eternity, and the glories of the dwelling-place of the blessed. But when heavenly music is again heard, announcing the mission of Messiah, its words are preserved for the comfort of God's church and people, to be had by them in everlasting remembrance. Before the angelic quire sang their anthem over the plains of Bethlehem, the Advent of Jesus had been anxiously expected amongst the Jews. The hope of one who should deliver Israel was almost universal. It is not improbable, therefore, that the shepherds of Judea, having placed their flocks in safety, were in the calm of night holding converse regarding "Him who was to come." Darkness overshadowed the plain; all nature was hushed in solemn repose, when, lo! in a moment the clouds are rolled aside, the heavens are opened, celestial music is heard, and angels proclaim Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men." 66 The song of the angel announced, that the mission of Jesus to this world had for its object the "glory of God." This glory was realised, in Christ's life of perfect obedience. Adam, originally created after the image of God, had been tempted and overcome. Of his descendants, all had sinned, and come short of God's glory. That law which God himself had proclaimed, amid the thunders of Sinai, was disobeyed by the people for whom it was first promulgated; Israel had forsaken God, and Jehovah had forsaken his Israel, whose once favoured children were, at Christ's Advent, suffering under the Roman yoke; whilst the Gentile nations around were sunk in idolatry, and by nature knew not God. When the blessed Jesus came, he fulfilled God's law, and made it honourable; his was a life of purity, even in the eye of Jehovah-that eye before whose glance the heavens are not clean. God looked down from the celestial glory, and recognised him as an only and beloved Son, in whom the Father was "well pleased." "I have glorified thee on earth," saith Jesus, “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do; and now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” The song of the angels also proclaimed, "Peace on earth." Christ, by fulfilling the law of God, did indeed satisfy his Divine justice; but God was yet to be more highly glorified, by the exhibition of his sovereign grace to a fallen and sinful world. Of that world, justice demanded what Divine love could alone fulfil. Behold the riches of redeeming grace! See the brightness of God's glory thus manifested! Those who truly partake of that grace, become " new creatures." From the heart possessed of the peace of God, every unruly passion is banished, and it beats and pants after more communion with Him by whom it is animated. It is purified by the precious blood of the Lamb; it knows God as a God of love; it has accepted his gracious invitations; it has received the promised rest and peace which the world cannot give nor take away. Grateful to God for such gracious manifestations of his goodness, it joins in the song of the angels, ascribing "Glory to God in the highest," who hath given peace to his faithful and believing followers. The expression, "good will to men," follows in the angels' song the announcement of "peace." Mercy is God's darling attribute; and never was it displayed in all its glory so fully, as in the mission of God's eternal Son. He who was with the Father before all worlds; He who was the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person; He who sat at the right hand of God, and with him received the homage of heaven's glorious hosts, descended to suffer and to die for sinful men. Observe the wondrous plan, emanating from the counsels of the Eternal, to free us from deserved punishment, and to bestow on us the riches of his grace! He who knew no sin, died, that sinners might live for ever. He who had legions of angels at his command, came meek and lowly, and was rejected, despised, and crucified. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend; but in this God shewed his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Remembering a love so wondrous, well may we exclaim, "Ο our souls, magnify the Lord, and glorify and praise his holy name!" None but the eternal Jehovah could have conceived so stupendous a miracle of mercy, as the Gospel mystery-none but he could have fulfilled it. Experiencing such a proof of the "good will" and love of our heavenly Father towards us, in that "he spared not his only-begotten Son, but freely gave him up to the death for us all," be it ours to manifest the value we entertain for God's unspeakable gift, by freely accepting Jesus, as he is offered to us in the Gospel. Sensible of our own unworthiness, let us flee to Him who can wash away all our guilt, who can raise us to the exalted rank and noble privilege of those who know God, as a reconciled God in Jesus, and who are enabled to bless his name and sing his praise, as their God and Father in heaven. Amen. Now, may the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen. |