nature or essence with the Father and the Holy Spirit, the Triune Jehovah. In the first chapter of the Epistle to the Colossians, the same word is introduced twice in the course of four verses, only it is there translated the first born. The whole passage will in some measure explain its import, for it is altogether a most exalted and magnificent description of the power and glory of our adorable Redeemer. He is called the dear Son of his Father, or in the marginal reading, the Son of His love; in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature; for by Him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers ; all things were created by Him and for Him; and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist; and He is the Head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the first born from the dead; that in all things He might have the pre-eminence; for it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell. We may here observe the importance which the apostle attached to this title of the first begotten or first born. He considered it to mean that the Person who was so denominated was the Creator, the Preserver, and the Governor of the world. St. John introduces this title in a similar connexion, when he speaks

of Jesus Christ, as the faithful Witness, and the first begotten from the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.96 It was adopted from the language of the Psalmist, where Christ is brought forward as saying, I will declare the decree; the Lord hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee. Ask of Me, and I shall give Thee the heathen for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession.97 And in another place God speaks concerning Him, I will make Him My first born, higher than the kings of the earth.97 In both these passages His supreme authority and almighty power are described in connexion with this title. From all which we may conclude that our Lord Jesus Christ is called the first begotten or first born to denote His superiority to all created beings, notwithstanding He was a partaker of human nature.

The title of Son of God was also applied to Him as having been begotten of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mary; the angel who informed her of the high honour which awaited her of being the mother of the Messiah, having said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee, therefore also that Holy Thing, which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God.98 This

96 Rev. i. 5. 97 Psalm ii. 7, lxxxix. 27. 98 Luke i. 35.

exalted Personage having been born of a woman in our world, the purpose for which He was brought into it is a subject worthy of our consideration. This is to be noticed in the

Second place, as it ought not to be overlooked when we celebrate the birth of our Redeemer. That should be a joyful event, and must be one of the greatest importance, the remembrance of which has been kept up for eighteen centuries since it took place. The consideration of the cause of the incarnation of Christ will show that the event was one which is really worthy of being kept in everlasting remembrance. The name which was Divinely appointed to be borne by this illustrious Personage, was designed to point out the object proposed by His coming upon earth, or His being brought into the world. The angel of the Lord, who appeared unto Joseph, commanded respecting Him, Thou shalt call His name JESUS; for He shall save His people from their sins,99 which was declared to be in fulfilment of the prophecy by Isaiah,1 Thou shalt call His name EMMANUEL, which being interpreted is, God with us.99 It was because mankind were sinners, and needed pardon, and without it could not obtain the Divine favour and blessing, that God the Creator came and dwelt among us, and was made in the likeness of

99 Matt. i. 21, 23. 1 Isaiah vii. 14. 2 Phil. ii. 7.

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men. The benefits derived from it are briefly mentioned by our apostle, Forasmuch as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.3

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The purpose then for which Christ came into the world was to make reconciliation for sin, and so by Himself to purge or cleanse us from our sins, to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. But before this event took place, He perfectly obeyed the law of God which man had broken, and that in every stage of life from infancy to manhood, by which He fulfilled all righteousness, and magnified the law, and made it honourable, and left us an example that we should follow His steps. On this account pardoning mercy, and both justifying and sanctifying grace, and everlasting salvation, are bestowed upon the sinful children of men through Jesus Christ our Lord, by means of believing on His name. And all who are sensible of their need of these blessings are directed to seek them earnestly for Christ's sake, and are assured that asking they shall receive, that their joy may be full. We are as welcome to receive them freely, as if we were. able to

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3 Heb. ii. 14, 15. 4 Heb. ix. 26. 5 1 Pet. ii. 21. 6 John xvi. 24.

purchase them. Nothing is required of us, but to acknowledge them as His benefits, and to use them to the glory of the bounteous Giver. And this He enables His people by His grace to do. Let us then come as poor to be enriched with spiritual blessings, as naked to be clothed, as destitute to be relieved, as hungry and thirsty to be filled and refreshed. Thus coming and casting ourselves upon His free unmerited bounty, we shall not be sent empty away. He will receive us graciously, and bless us abundantly. He will give us His grace now, and glory hereafter. Such is the blessedness prepared for those whom God came to redeem. Let them celebrate His birth with joyful hearts. When such blessed consequences ensue, surely the time of the bringing in of the first begotten into the world may well be considered as a joyful season, and be commemorated with gladness of heart by the humble believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to notice

Thirdly, The Divine proclamation concerning the Son of God: Let all the angels of God worship Him. That the hosts of heaven do worship and serve and obey the Son of God we have the fullest evidence. St. John, when he saw visions of God in the isle of Patmos, relates, I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the living creatures, and the elders, and the number of them was ten thousand times ten